Brazil passes Argentina to take top spot in FIFA rankings

SPORTS

Brazil passes Argentina to take top spot in FIFA rankings

The Associated Press Published Thursday, April 6, 2017 9:05AM EDT

Brazil's Neymar celebrates scoring his side's 2nd goal against Paraguay during a 2018 World Cup qualifying soccer match at the Arena Corinthians Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Tuesday, March 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Text:

ZURICH -- Brazil has taken over at the top of the FIFA rankings for the first time since 2010.

After losing Lionel Messi to a four-match ban, Argentina lost 2-0 at Bolivia last week and dropped to No. 2.

World Cup winner Germany is still No. 3, followed by Chile and Colombia. South American teams tallied more ranking points last month by playing two World Cup qualifiers. European teams played one.

European champion Portugal is No. 8, while Switzerland entered the top 10, up two to ninth, one ahead of above Spain.

Mexico rose one to No. 16 and leads CONCACAF teams. Canada climbed eight positions to No. 109. The United States climbed seven to No. 23. No. 19 Egypt leads African teams, and No. 28 Iran is Asia's best.

World Cup host Russia fell one to No. 61.