Germany back on top in FIFA rankings after Confederations Cup win

Germany lead the FIFA rankings again after the 2014 World Cup winners added the Confederations Cup title on Sunday.

Victory by a second-string squad lifted Germany up two places, as Brazil and Argentina fell to Nos. 2 and 3, respectively.

Since Germany last led the rankings exactly two years ago, Brazil, Argentina and Belgium have held the top spot.

Portugal used their thirdplace finish in Russia to rise four places to No. 4, higher than after they won the 2016 European Championship.

Switzerland climbed to No. 5 by beating the Faeroe Islands to extend their perfect record in World Cup qualifying.

Poland, who were also unbeaten in World Cup qualifying, rose to No. 6.

Confederations Cup runnerup Chile fell three places to No. 7. Colombia, France and Belgium completed though they all places.

Other teams falling due to Confederations Cup results in Russia were Cameroon dropping four to No. 36 and New Zealand down 27 to No. 122.

Host team Russia rose one to No. 62 and Australia climbed three to No. 45.

Mexico, fourth-placed at the Confederations Cup, leads CONCACAF teams at No. 16. The United States fell 12 places to No. 35.

Iran leads Asia at No. 23, one ahead of Africa’s best, Egypt, who dropped four.

The FIFA rankings, weighing team’s results over a four-year cycle, will have an impact later this year. FIFA typically uses the rankings to decide seeding for World Cup playoffs and the finals tournament draw, which are made on Dec. 1 in Moscow. the top 10 fell three