FIFA Rankings: Germany Climbs To No 1 Spot; Nigeria Climbs 10 Spots To 34th Position

Germany has climbed to the top of the FIFA rankings after winning the World Cup for the first time in 24 years.

The four-time champions, who beat Argentina 1-0 at the Maracana on Sunday, have replaced Spain in first place as well as succeeding them as world champions.

Argentina and the Netherlands complete the new-look top three. Spain’s title defense surprisingly ended in the group stage, and the team has dropped to eighth place.
First-round exits also led to Portugal going down seven places to 11th, Italy dropping five to 14th and England falling 10 spots to 20th.

African champions, Super Eagles of Nigeria, moved up 10 places to 34th position on the rankings and 3rd in Africa. Algeria regained number 1 spot in Africa but dropped down two places in the world rankings to 24th while Cote d’Ivoire retained 2nd position in Africa, but dropped 2 spots to 25th position in the world. Egypt and Ghana completed the top 5 rankings in Africa, ranking 36th and 38th respectively.

 FIFA rankings (top 20):
1 Germany
2 Argentina
3 Netherlands
4 Colombia
5 Belgium
6 Uruguay
7 Brazil
8 Spain
9 Switzerland
10 France
11 Portugal
12 Chile
13 Greece
14 Italy
15 USA
16 Costa Rica
17 Croatia
18 Mexico
19 Bosnia-Herzegovina
20 England