FIFA World Rankings 2016: Updated International Standings, Points on October 20
Germany and Brazil moved closer to No. 1 side Argentina in FIFA's latest world rankings as Belgium dropped out of the the top three for the first time in 19 months.
Following the latest international action in the qualifying stages for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, further changes to the top 10 saw France leapfrog Euro 2016 winners Portugal into seventh place and Spain replace Wales in 10th spot.
Colombia dropped down to fifth while Chile remain sixth, and Uruguay stayed in ninth to complete the top 10, per FIFA:
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England remained ranked 12th and Italy 13th, while both Switzerland and Poland moved up two spots into 14th and 15th, respectively.
Following their impressive run to the last eight at Euro 2016, Iceland continued to confound expectations with qualifying victories over Finland and Turkey earlier this month, and they moved up to an all-time high of 21st in the latest rankings, a six-place jump from September.
Per UEFA's Johann Sigurdsson, the records just keep tumbling for Heimir Hallgrimsson's side:
The lack of competitive action for CONCACAF sides in October saw the United States drop two places to 24th despite a friendly victory over Cuba and a draw with New Zealand.
A similar fate befell Mexico, who dropped from 15th to 17th after winning both their October friendlies with New Zealand and Panama.
Montenegro's 5-0 victory over Kazakhstan and 1-0 win against Denmark in World Cup qualifying saw them advance a massive 49 places to 56th—one ahead of Scotland, who dropped 13 places.
While Montenegro were the biggest winners this month in terms of places gained, Cyprus were the biggest losers as they dropped 52 spots to 139th.
Argentina will need to improve their form if they are to hang on to the top spot much longer as they lost to Paraguay and drew with Peru in a disappointing month.
Brazil are on the charge, though, and have moved from 10th to third in just two months following four World Cup qualifying wins on the bounce.
