Brazil slump to 22nd in world rankings

World Cup hosts Brazil slumped to a new record low in the FIFA world rankings on Thursday as the five-time world champions dropped three places to 22nd.

Having spent most of the first 15 years of official FIFA world rankings at the top of the pile, Brazil’s extraordinary demise began a year ago when the Selecao dropped six places from fifth to 11th in July 2012.

Luis Felipe Scolari’s team has been in freefall ever since and have now reached their worst ever position.

Brazil have not played a competitive match since losing on penalties to Paraguay in the Cop America quarter-finals in Argentina two years ago.

Since then they have played only a series of friendlies, the latest a 2-2 draw with England in the newly refurbished Maracana stadium.

The top four remained unchanged with Spain ahead of Germany, Argentina and Croatia.

The Netherlands jumped four places into fifth with England dropping two places to ninth. France remain down in 18th.

Rankings as of June 6: