Lionel Messi’s Argentina on Thursday knocked Germany off top place in the FIFA world rankings despite having lost to their rivals in the World Cup final last year and to Chile in last weekend’s Copa America.
Reaching the Copa final took the Argentines up two places to claim number one ranking for the first time in seven years.
New South American champions Chile moved up eight places to number 11.
Romania rose four places to 8th, England six places to ninth and Wales surged 12 positions after their European Championships qualifying win over Belgium to 10th place.
France fell 13 places to number 22.
Rankings (points, position change)
1. Argentina 1473 (+2)
2. Germany 1411 (-1)
3. Belgium 1244 (-1)
4. Colombia 1217 (-)
5. Netherlands 1204 (+1)
6. Brazil 1186 (-1)
7. Portugal 1177 (-)
8. Romania 1166 (+4)
9. England 1157 (+6)
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10. Wales 1155 (+12)
By AFP
