FIFA World Rankings 2015: Germany, Spain, Wales All Rise in Latest Standings

World champions Germany are up to second position in the FIFA world rankings. It’s also been a strong month for Portugal and Wales, who enjoyed promotions within the top 10.

Germany are now the team in closest pursuit of Argentina, although they still remain some way off usurping the South American juggernauts at the summit. Belgium, who were in second spot, have dropped into third, with a resurgent Portugal pushing them in fourth spot. Spain and Wales are up to sixth and eighth respectively. 

Here’s a look at the top 10 in the updated standings and a roundup of the latest set of FIFA world rankings.

Rank	Team	Total Points	+/-
1	Argentina	1419	0
2	Germany	1401	+1
3	Belgium	1387	-1
4	Portugal	1235	+2
5	Colombia	1228	-1
6	Spain	1223	+5
7	Brazil	1204	-2
8	Wales	1195	+1
9	Chile	1177	-1
10	England	1161	0

For the full standings, visit the official FIFA site.

The formula that underscores the standings is complex. Results, the importance of matches and the strength of opponents are given points, which are multiplied together to provide an overall total.

Then, another coefficient is applied depending on the opponent’s confederation (CONMEBOL 1.00; UEFA 0.99; AFC, CAF, OFC and CONCACAF 0.85), per the governing body's official website. Over time, the value of results decreases.

Germany Chasing Down Argentina

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The world champions are back in the top two as they continue to build momentum ahead of next summer’s European Championship.

Joachim Low’s side endured a tough start to their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, with several senior players retiring and new faces being integrated into the squad. But wins over Poland and Scotland in September lifted the mood around the camp, and Germany look like a force to be reckoned with once again.

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

Thomas Muller’s form has been a major positive for the international side, as we can see here, courtesy of WhoScored.com:

It’s encouraging to see Portugal back near the top of the table too, as they also slowly begin to recover from a very difficult period. Having lost 1-0 at home to Albania and parted ways with manager Paulo Bento in September 2014, just a few months on from their awful World Cup showing—they went out in the group stage—the Selecao were at a low ebb. But Bento's replacement, Fernando Santos, has since helped the team get back on track.

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Indeed, since Santos took over, Portugal have won all of their qualifying matches for Euro 2016 and are in a brilliant position to qualify for the tournament without having to go through the rigours of the playoffs.

Portuguese football expert Jan Hagen thinks the team can still go up a level under this manager too:

Spain are up five places to sixth after making some positive recent strides. Vicente del Bosque has also had to oversee an influx of new faces and an exodus of key men since the World Cup, but things do finally seem to be clicking into gear in their qualifying campaign.

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Still, the biggest surprise in the top 10 is Wales, continuing their remarkable renaissance. Chris Coleman’s team are set to confirm their place at Euro 2016 in the next round of international matches. Spearheaded by the talismanic showings of Gareth Bale, they have been one of the most entertaining international teams to watch.

As BBC Wales Sport noted, the country has never been ranked as high as eighth in its footballing history:

Illustrious teams that had a tough month were Belgium, Colombia, Brazil and Chile, who all dropped places. England preserved their spot in 10th. Romania dropped out of the top 10, falling six places to 13th. France, who are set to host next summer’s European Championship, are feeling the effects of not playing competitive matches and are in 22nd spot.

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

The team that enjoyed the biggest jump in September was Liberia, who moved up a staggering 65 places to 95th. Cyprus, who lost 1-0 to Wales in a qualification match in September, were the biggest fallers, dropping down 28 places to 114th.