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http://fifa.com/worldfootball/ranking/news/newsid=535556.html#france+overtake+brazilFrance overtake Brazil
While leaders Italy retain top spot 12 months on from the start of last year's FIFA World Cup™ in Germany, there are some big changes afoot in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking on the back of almost 120 matches in the past four weeks. A pair of victories in EURO 2008 qualifiers sees France climb to second place (up 2) at the expense of Brazil (3rd, down 1). Argentina (5th, down 2) fall two spots, while Germany bask in their highest position in more than four years (4th, up 1). With the Copa América, the fall in value of the results from last year's World Cup and crucial EURO 2008 qualifiers coming up, there are likely to be more changes in the top 10 in the not too distant future.
Further down the ranking, the USA (16th, up 13), flying high again thanks to a successful start to their Gold Cup campaign, overhaul Mexico (26th, down 6) for the time being as CONCACAF's top team. Bosnia-Herzegovina (28th, up 20) and Northern Ireland (29th, up 4) both record their highest placings since the ranking's launch in 1993. Morocco (35th, up 12) and Norway (36th, up 13) make eye-catching progress as a result of successes in continental qualifying tournaments, but even their achievements are overshadowed by Canada (56th, up 38 ) and, most notably, surprise packages Armenia (80th, up 48 ).
While a further eight teams - the majority from Africa - climb more than ten places, newcomers Montenegro, who complete the ranking as FIFA's 208th member association, had an inauspicious introduction to the international game with close defeats to Japan and Colombia and therefore prop up the ranking still awaiting their first points.
- The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on 18 July 2007.
Ranking, Team Pts Jun 07, +/- Ranking May 07, +/- Pts May 07
1 Italy 1653 0 47
2 France 1585 2 78
3 Brazil 1484 -1 -54
4 Germany 1467 1 77
5 Argentina 1373 -2 -147
6 Portugal 1323 1 23
7 Spain 1273 2 35
8 England 1240 0 -38
9 Netherlands 1220 -3 -89
10 Czech Republic 1096 0 -74
11 Croatia 1080 1 69
12 Romania 1068 3 138
13 Ukraine 1044 -2 4
14 Cameroon 1019 -1 51
15 Greece 1011 1 96
16 USA 978 13 193
17 Sweden 957 5 90
18 Poland 933 0 31
19 Ghana 917 9 98
20 Ivory Coast 906 5 56
21 Turkey 904 -2 8
22 Serbia 902 9 133
23 Scotland 895 -9 -58
24 Russia 893 -7 -15
25 Switzerland 869 -4 -15
