ZURICH (AP) ― World and European champion Spain remains atop the FIFA rankings, while Afghanistan made a big move in a quiet month for international football.
Afghanistan rises to its highest place, up 48 spots to 141st, after victories in AFC Challenge Cup matches.
Spain heads Germany, Argentina, England and Italy. Colombia is alone in sixth with Portugal dropping from a tie into seventh, as results in the four-year cycle lost value in the calculations.
Africa’s top-ranked team, Ivory Coast, dropped one place to No. 13.
Mexico stays No. 15, and the United States falls one place to No. 33 despite not playing.
Japan leads Asia at No. 26, rising two spots. South Korea dropped to No. 47.
The 98th-ranked Qatar returns to the top 100 after the 2022 World Cup host beat Egypt in a friendly.
