Argentina take top spot in latest FIFA rankings, India fall 15 places
The latest FIFA Rankings have a lot of changes, the biggest one being Argentina moving to the top, displacing Germany from the top spot for the first time after their World Cup triumph last year. La Albiceleste have reached the pinnacle of world football after seven years.
Even after losing the Copa America finals to Chile this year, they were able to knock Germany off the top spot. Surprise movers include Romania, who have now moved into the top 10 after a long time, and now sit at 8th position, ahead of teams like France and Spain.
Wales have moved up 12 places, 2 points behind England who themselves moved up by 6 places. As of August 2011, they were ranked 117th but moved into the top 10 for the first time in history after Gareth Bale’s strike earned them 1-0 win over Belgium in June. They currently hold the top spot in their group, and look determined to make it to the finals of a major tournament since 1958.
The reason for all these changes in the ranking is because of the number of matches that have been played: 99 qualifying matches for the World Cup and Euros, 26 Copa America matches and 88 friendlies. Another reason for the changes is said to be the devaluation of last year’s World Cup in Brazil.
India, meanwhile have dropped 15 places to 156 and are placed 28th in Asia. Following defeats to Oman and Guam, India sit at the bottom of their 2018 World Cup qualifiers group, which comprises of Iran, Guam, Oman, Turkmenistan. Guam sit top of the group and have leapfrogged India to 154th position.
Most matches played: Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru (seven matches each)
Biggest move by points: Wales (up 226 points)
Biggest move by ranks: Belize (up 37 ranks)
Biggest drop by points: Germany (down 364 points)
Biggest drop by ranks: Central African Republic (down 29 ranks)
| Rank | Team | Points | Postion |
| 1 | Argentina | 1473 | +2 |
| 2 | Germany | 1473 | -1 |
| 3 | Belgium | 1244 | -1 |
| 4 | Columbia | 1217 | 0 |
| 5 | Netherlands | 1204 | +1 |
| 6 | Brazil | 1186 | -1 |
| 7 | Portugal | 1177 | 0 |
| 8 | Romania | 1166 | +4 |
| 9 | England | 1157 | +6 |
| 10 | Wales | 1155 | +12 |
| 11 | Chile | 1129 | +8 |
| 12 | Spain | 1110 | -2 |
| 13 | Uruguay | 1036 | -5 |
| 14 | Croatia | 1023 | +4 |
| 15 | Slovakia | 1016 | +2 |
| 15 | Austria | 1016 | +5 |
| 17 | Italy | 1001 | -4 |
| 18 | Switzerland | 997 | -7 |
| 19 | Algeria | 941 | +2 |
| 20 | Czech Republic | 933 | -4 |
| 156 | India | 161 | -15 |