Spain continues to rock FIFA TOP 10 rankings - FIFA photo

FIFA TOP 10 - Spain still ahead of the Netherlands and Germany

Little movement in the new year - Although there has not been much movement this month, some teams have still climbed the ranking and are now in their highest-ever position

Zurich, Switzerland -- (FIFA)

Thursday January 19, 2012

As expected, there are very few changes in the first edition of the FIFA World Ranking in 2012, as precious little football has been played around the world. In fact, only 11 matches have been taken into account in the new ranking, including six games that were actually played in 2011. At the top, world champions Spain continue to lead the way ahead of the Netherlands, Germany and Uruguay, who are still close together in the chasing pack.

Of the top 20 teams, only Chile have been in action recently, their 3-2 victory over Paraguay seeing them overtake Russia and move into 12th place in the ranking. Although there has not been much movement this month, some teams have still climbed the ranking and are now in their highest-ever position in the FIFA World Ranking, namely Bosnia-Herzegovina (19th, up 1), Panama (47th, up 2), Estonia (52nd, up 5) and Belize (133rd, up 8). Montenegro (50th, up 1) have also returned to the top 50. This month’s other winners are Uzbekistan (67th, up 8), Zambia (71st, up 8), Saudi Arabia (87th, up 9), Congo DR (116th, up 9) and Nicaragua (145th, up 9), who have all benefited from the devaluation of poor results in previous years to make significant progress up the table.

There will undoubtedly be more movement in February’s world ranking as the 32 matches of the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea will be included in the ranking.

Management summary

· Leader Spain (unchanged)

· Moves into top 10 none

· Moves out of top 10 none

· Matches played in total 11 (6 of which were in 2011)

· Most matches played Angola, Botswana, Palestine (2 games each)

· Biggest move by points Uzbekistan (up 46 points)

· Biggest move by ranks Saudi Arabia, Congo DR, Nicaragua (up 9 ranks each)

· Biggest drop by points Gabon (down 58 points)

· Biggest drop by ranks Gabon (down 14 ranks)

· Newly ranked teams none

· Teams that are no longer ranked none

· Inactive teams, not ranked none

FIFA TOP 10 for January, 2012

Rank -- Team -- Points

1. Spain - 1564

2. Netherlands - 1365

3. Germany - 1345

4. Uruguay - 1309

5. England - 1173

6. Brazil - 1143

7. Portugal - 1100

8. Croatia l - 1091

9. Italy - 1082

10. Argentina - 1067

The next FIFA World Ranking will be published on February 15, 2012.

FIFA