FIFA World Rankings, April 2010: Spain Still Top, Portugal Up to Four

England have risen one place to seventh in FIFA’s latest World Rankings, released on their official website this morning.

Spain maintain their position as the top ranked side in world football, making it six consecutive months at the summit. Brazil have narrowed the gap but remain second, followed by the Netherlands some way behind in third.

There has been more movement in the rest of the top ten with Portugal moving up to fourth place as Italy and Germany both slide down a position. England have swapped placed with France and Croatia are back into the top ten in place of Greece.

Australia return to the top 20 at 19 after a five month absence since they achieved their record high ranking of 14 in the September rankings of last year.

Just outside the top 20 Paraguay (up 6 to 23), Norway (up 9 to 24) and Turkey (up 6 to 35) are the main beneficiaries of the change in rankings brought about by the friendly matches earlier this month and the devaluation of points gained more than one year ago.

Senegal are the biggest movers overall, climbing 22 places to 72 after an impressive friendly win over Greece in Volos earlier this month.

Scotland (up 4 to 41) are now ranked above the Republic of Ireland (down 5 to 44) and both Northern Ireland (down 11 to 50) and Wales (down 1 to 77) also slide down the rankings.

FIFA World Rankings, Top 20, April 2010

(movements from the March rankings in parenthesis)

1.  Spain (-)

2.  Brazil (-)

3.  Netherlands (-)

4.  Portugal (+2)

5.  Italy (-1)

6.  Germany (-1)

7.  England (+1)

8.  France (-1)

9.  Argentina (-)

10. Croatia (+1)

11. Greece (-1)

12. Russia (-)

13. Chile (+1)

14. Egypt (+3)

15. Serbia (-2)

16. USA (+2)

17. Mexico (-2)

18. Uruguay (+1)

19. Australia (+4)

20= Cameroon (-)

20= Switzerland (-5)