FIFA World Rankings, March 2010: England Eighth, Greece Back in Top 10

Matt SMar 3, 2010

England have climbed one place to eighth and Greece have moved back into the top 10 in FIFA’s latest World Rankings, released on their web site this morning.

Spain continue to lead the way, ahead of Brazil and the Netherlands.

Germany have swapped places with Portugal, moving up fifth whilst England also leapfrog Argentina into eighth place with Diego Maradona’s side now ninth.

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Greece have climbed two places to enter the Top 10, taking the place previously occupied by Egypt. The African Champions due to play at Wembley tonight have fallen seven places after achieving their highest ever ranking last month.

Meanwhile Uruguay rise two spots to 19th, displacing Nigeria from the Top 20.

In a quirk of the rankings the Republic of Ireland (down two) and Northern Ireland (up one) now share the exact same position in 39th place. Elsewhere Scotland rise one place to 45th and Wales are a non-mover in 76th.

Few games were played last month so the change in the rankings comes from the devaluation of results and subsequent points achieved more than a year ago.

More changes can be expected next month with most countries taking the opportunity to either prepare for the World Cup or for forthcoming qualifying campaigns in a full round of international friendlies this midweek.

Key games include France hosting Spain in Paris and Argentina taking on Germany in Munich.

Other high profile clashes see England hosting Egypt, USA taking on the Netherlands in Amsterdam and World Champions Italy playing Cameroon in Monte Carlo.

FIFA World Rankings, Top 20, March 2010-03-03

(movements from the February rankings in parenthesis)

1. Spain (-)

2. Brazil (-)

3. Netherlands (-)

4. Italy (-)

5. Germany (+1)

6. Portugal (-1)

7. France (-)

8. England (+1)

9. Argentina (-1)

10. Greece (+2)