Portugal set to climb up to 6th in latest FIFA rankings after Euro 2016 win
Euro 2016 champions Portugal are set to move up to sixth in the latest FIFA rankings which are to be released on Thursday. Fernando Santos’ men defeated France in the final of the European Championship and the victory sees them move a couple of places from eighth in the latest set of rankings.
The defeated finalists will also have some reason to cheer as they will break into the top ten and move to seventh position, according to ESPN FC. France were ranked as low as 25th two years ago due to the fact that the side played friendlies in their preparations for Euro 2016.
Argentina, beaten finalists in the Copa America 2016, are set to remain first in the rankings, even though they lost out in the finals to Chile, while Belgium, who lost to Wales in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 keep their place as the second-best side in the world.
The other teams in the top five should remain the same with Colombia staying third, thanks to their third place finish in the Copa America. Germany and Chile are set to remain fourth and fifth respectively.
While there aren’t any changes in the top five, Spain are to drop down to eighth in the latest rankings. Brazil too, fall a couple of places in the latest rankings, after a disappointing exit from the Copa America.
Italy is one of the teams that will move into the top 10 after an impressive performance in Euro 2016. The Azzurri are set to move up from 12th to 10th, which would be the first time in a year when they break into the top 10.
Uruguay was knocked out of the top 10 and are set to slip to 12th while the biggest losers after the summer of international football would be Austria. The European side was expected to do extremely well at Euro 2016 but a group stage exit has seen them drop down 11 spots to 21st in the rankings.
Wales, who impressed all with their incredible showing at Euro 2016, should make it to 11th spot and will be ranked higher than England who drop to 13th after their rather poor showing. Croatia, Poland and Peru are all big movers in the latest rankings.
| July 2016 FIFA Rankings |
| 1) Argentina |
| 2) Belgium |
| 3) Colombia |
| 4) Germany |
| 5) Chile |
| 6) Portugal |
| 7) France |
| 8) Spain |
| 9) Brazil |
| 10) Italy |