Brazil dethrones Spain at top of FIFA rankings

Zurich:

Brazil has ended Spain's one-year reign at the top of FIFA's rankings, rewarded for its comeback win over the United States in the Confederations Cup final.

Brazil rose four spots to reach the top of the rankings _ released on Wednesday _ for the first time since August 2007. European champion Spain, upset by the US in the semi-final last week, slipped to second.

Netherlands fell back to third, Italy stayed fourth and Germany slipped two places to fifth.

Russia, England, Argentina, France and Croatia rounded out the top 10.

The US, beaten 3-2 by Brazil in a thrilling match on Sunday, rose two spots to No. 12.

But it was far from the biggest climber.

North Korea jumped 23 spots to No. 83 after it qualified for its first World Cup since 1966.

Higher up the rankings, Australia hopped over 13 teams to reach No. 16, its highest spot since FIFA began its rankings in 1993. Ivory Coast rose 20 places to become Africa's top team at No. 18.

The top 25 in FIFA's world rankings released on Wednesday (previous month's ranking in parentheses):

1. Brazil (5), 1,672 points.

2. Spain (1), 1,590.

3. Netherlands (2), 1,390.

4. Italy (4), 1,229.

5. Germany (3), 1,207.

6. Russia (9), 1,161.

7. England (6), 1,135.

8. Argentina (7), 1,091.

9. France (10), 1,082.

10. Croatia (8), 1,031.

11. Greece (17), 1,001.

12. United States (14), 983.

13. Switzerland (16), 930.

14. Serbia (20), 925.

15. Denmark (24), 909.

16. Australia (29), 886.

17. Portugal (11), 879.

18. Ivory Coast (38), 874.

19. Ukraine (19), 869.

20. Uruguay (17), 860.

21. Czech Republic (15), 850.

22. Paraguay (13), 846.

23. Bulgaria (23), 839.

24. Scotland (22), 837.

25. Israel (25), 822.