Friday, 12/11/2010
BRAZIL will head to the World Cup as the number one team, according to the latest FIFA rankings.
The five-time world champion retained top spot ahead of European champion Spain in Wednesday’s release of the final monthly rankings before the June 11 World Cup kickoff.
Portugal is third followed by the Netherlands and world champion Italy. Germany is sixth, edging Argentina and England.
France moves up one to No. 9, trading places with Croatia which did not qualify for the World Cup.
The United States at No. 14 heads the three World Cup qualifiers from Concacaf.
Cameroon at No. 19 is best of the six African World Cup teams, and No. 20 Australia leads Asia’s four qualifiers. Host South Africa is No. 83, and No. 105 North Korea is the lowest-ranked qualifier. — AP
FIFA Top World Ranking
1- Brazil (1611 pts)
2- Spain (1565 pts)
3- Portugal (1249 pts)
4- Netherlands (1231 pts)
5- Italy (1184 pts)
6- Germany (1082)
7- Argentina (1076)
8- England (1068)
9- Perancis (1044)
10- Croatia (1041)
Tags: Brazil, FIFA, Ranking, World Cup
