Less than five days after Germany won the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the European country has returned to the top of FIFA world rankings for the first time in around 20 years.

According to the latest list published on Thursday, 17 July, 2014, Germany moved up one place to depose former table topper Spain on the strength of their 1-0 defeat of Argentina at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium in Brazil.

Lionel Messi’s Argentina are placed second, an improvement of three places, with the Netherlands leaping 12 rungs into third after their impressive World Cup third place finish.

The James Rodriguez-inspired Colombia move up to fourth (+4), ahead of Belgium (+6) and Uruguay, while disappointing Brazil dropped four spots to seventh.

Deposed world champions Spain slumped seven spots to their new modest placing of eighth, with Switzerland and France (+7) completing the top ten.

Costa Rica’s remarkable charge to the quarterfinals was rewarded with a jump of 12 places to 16th.

England’s woeful first round exit resulted in Roy Hodgson’s side dropping ten places to 20th.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles, who exited the World Cup in the round of 16, moved up 10 spots to current 34th position in the world and 3rd in Africa.
Both Algeria and Cote d’Ivoire dropped two points each but they still remain the best two teams on the African continent, respectively.

Egypt maintains its 4th position, while Ghana also remains ranked 5th in Africa, despite dropping one point in the latest ranking.

Below is the top 20 of the new FIFA rankings:

1. Germany (+1)

2. Argentina (+3)

3. Netherlands (+12)

4. Colombia (+4)

5. Belgium (+6)

6. Uruguay (+1)

7. Brazil (-4)

8. Spain (-7)

9. Switzerland (-3)

10. France (+7)

11. Portugal (-7)

12. Chile (+2)

13. Greece (-1)

14. Italy (-5)

15. USA (-2)

16. Costa Rica (+12)

17. Croatia (+1)

18. Mexico (+2)

19. Bosnia and Herzegovina (+2)

20. England (-10)

Big thanks to fifa. #FairJudgement

Is it because FIFA is in Zurich,why is Switzerland in the top 10? Why are they always highly ranked when nobody knows them as a football nation?

Nigeria and cote d ivoire ought to switch places! We deserve better than that rating...

Bholutife18: Big thanks to fifa. #FairJudgement

Yeah fair indeed

eyeview: Is it because FIFA is in Zurich,why is Switzerland in the top 10? Why are they always highly ranked when nobody knows them as a football nation?

Person wey know person nah.....u don 4get

onome710: Nigeria and cote d ivoire ought to switch places! We deserve better than that rating...

Maybe not.

dtito:
Maybe not.

Seriously? At least Algeria & Nigeria made d round of 16. We ought to be ranked closely... Not 'far apart'

Atleast a fair ranking this time around bt ivory coast shouldnt have retained no 1 spot, i tink algeria deserved it.

Ok

onome710:

Seriously? At least Algeria & Nigeria made d round of 16. We ought to be ranked closely... Not 'far apart'

Not exactly like DAT....we just move 10 place from d former position because we played well...since ivory coast did not reach d round of 16...remained or move 1 or 2 place up....u get?

yorex2011: Ok

Yeah

dtito:
Not exactly like DAT....we just move 10 place from d former position because we played well...since ivory coast did not reach d round of 16...remained or move 1 or 2 place up....u get?

Ok. Makes sense now. But i still feel they under rate us. #myOpinion

I think the eagles over achieved to b third in Africa. Algeria really deserved top spot. we were far adrift Algeria; going by the last rankings. Cote d'ivoire won a match. dats enough point to keep them above us.

waiting Portugal come do ahead of Chile or Costa Rica.

Nigeria moved up 10 places to number 34 from 44. Now 3rd in Africa. Keshi inherited a team that was 63, yet people say he is crap.

maputohq: I think the eagles over achieved to b third in Africa. Algeria really deserved top spot. we were far adrift Algeria; going by the last rankings. Cote d'ivoire won a match. dats enough point to keep them above us.

I beg to disagree with you on this sir. Many peeps just got carried away by the mobility of the Algerian team. Go to FIFA website and compare the stats of both teams. The only areas Algeria did better than us where no of goals scored(7-3) and distance covered(115.5km-100.5km per match).

We had more attempts per match (12.5 - 9.3) and completed more passes (1386-1194). Our shot on target percentages where the same 60%. Pass completion percentage same 70%.

The striking difference was that they moved quicker with the ball, especially on counters, while we transited slowly (no thanks to Mikel) and focused more on possession. We both won one match, drew one and lost two.

am just happy that we are ahead of noisy gala abi bigi

onome710:


Ok. Makes sense now. But i still feel they under rate us. #myOpinion

Yeah man

maputohq: I think the eagles over achieved to b third in Africa. Algeria really deserved top spot. we were far adrift Algeria; going by the last rankings. Cote d'ivoire won a match. dats enough point to keep them above us.

Maybe we are just better dis time

mainheart: waiting Portugal come do ahead of Chile or Costa Rica.

Dem don dey ahead since Nah...even b4 world cup..

dabossman:

I beg to disagree with you on this sir. Many peeps just got carried away by the mobility of the Algerian team. Go to FIFA website and compare the stats of both teams. The only areas Algeria did better than us where no of goals scored(7-3) and distance covered(115.5km-100.5km per match).

We had more attempts per match (12.5 - 9.3) and completed more passes (1386-1194). Our shot on target percentages where the same 60%. Pass completion percentage same 70%.

The striking difference was that they moved quicker with the ball, especially on counters, while we transited slowly (no thanks to Mikel) and focused more on possession. We both won one match, drew one and lost two.

U said it all...just wat we need to know

faithugo64: am just happy that we are ahead of noisy gala abi bigi

Lolz....funni chick

This simply means keshi was not as bad as some pple want us to swallow. Siasia's style brought eagles very low on ranking (2011). Keshi's style (though heavily criticized by oliseh, siasia subtle campaigners) pushed eagles up. We are not there yet but we are on the way. One thing we must do to move higher is to keep faith with keshi.

pls why is bosnia 19th n 9ja 34th?

dabossman: Nigeria moved up 10 places to number 34 from 44. Now 3rd in Africa. Keshi inherited a team that was 63, yet people say he is crap.

my brother i tire o

Fatdon: I think skin color is one the
yardsticks for measuring
this rankings by Fifa because
i don't the reason countries
like England should be ahead
Nigeria,even Bosnia, Spain and Brazil

Maybe...it seems so