Belgium has moved up to No. 1 in the FIFA rankings for the first time.
Despite only reaching the World Cup quarterfinals last year, Belgium rose two places after two wins in European Championship qualifying matches.
World Cup champion Germany is No. 2, just ahead of Argentina, which fell two places in a top 20 dominated by European and South American teams. Portugal is No. 4 and Copa America champion Chile if fifth.
According to the FIFA website, the composition of the top 50 for November 2015 shows little change, with the AFC gaining two teams through Korea Republic (48th, up 5) and Japan (50th, up 5) and Africa losing two, Cameroon and Congo each having dropped three places to 51st and 52nd respectively. The other confederations have the same number of teams as last month, with the regional composition of the top 50 now looking as follows: UEFA: 31; CONMEBOL: 7; CAF: 6; CONCACAF: 3; AFC: 3; OFC: 0.
China (84), Macau (195), Taiwan (187) dropped a few positions on the table while Hong Kong improved its ranking eights places up to 145th.
The last FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking of 2015 will be published on 3 December and could see Belgium take the ‘Team of the Year’ title, should they retain its top spot. The ‘Mover of the Year’ will be awarded to the team which has gained the most points in 2015. Current contenders for this are Turkey (up 430 points), Chile (up 331 points), Wales (up 330 points) and Austria (up 319 points). However, with various matches and qualifiers due to take place over the coming weeks, the positions are still all to play for. MDT/AP
FIFA world rankings list
1. Belgium (3)
2. Germany (2)
3. Argentina (1)
4. Portugal (4)
5. Chile (9)
6. Spain (6)
7. Colombia (5)
8. Brazil (7)
9. England (10)
10. Austria (11)
84. China (81)
145. Hong Kong (153)
187. Taiwan (183)
195. Macau (193)
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