Geneva:FIFA released the men's football world rankings for the first time in five months with Belgium leading an unchanged top four.
After a more than six months hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, international matches have finally recommenced with UEFA Nations League games across Europe at the beginning of September, which had an immediate impact on the world ranking.
But there has been no change among the leading quartet - Belgium, France, Brazil and England remain the top four in that order. Portugal has moved into the top five in the rankings released on Thursday thanks to victories over Croatia (8th, down two) and Sweden (18th, down one).
Other countries moving in the right direction are Spain (7th, up one), Italy (12th, up one), the Netherlands (13th, up one), and Germany (14th, up one), with each gaining one place in the global classification.
Russia had the biggest gain in this edition, climbing six places up to 32nd courtesy of wins over Serbia (31st, down two) and Hungary (52nd, unchanged).
Japan is the highest ranked team in Asia, remaining 28th, while China is in 76th place.Despite not playing, Iran (30th, up three) moved into the top 30 after Serbia and Turkey (32nd, down three) dropped points.
Iran soccer team moves up to 30th in FIFA rankings
The Iranian national soccer team have moved into the top 30 in the new FIFA world rankings, the Tehran Times daily reported on Friday.
Despite the lack of any games for nearly six months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Iran has been moved three places up to be positioned 30th by the FIFA.The next FIFA World Ranking will be published on October 22.
Ghana's Black Stars remain 46th in latest FIFA ranking
Accra:Ghana senior men's national team, the Black Stars, remains 46th in the world with 1,439 points in the latest FIFA football ranking for September released on Friday.
According to the world football governing body, the team is ranked sixth on the African continent. Ghana's senior national team has been inactive on the international front due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Black Stars' last batch of assignments remain a 2-0 home win over South Africa and a 1-0 away victory over Sao Tome and Principe in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in November last year.
The four-time African champions will return to action for the first time this year in November against Sudan following the approval of the resumption dates for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers by the Confederation of African Football.
On the other hand, Ghana's senior female national team, the Black Queens were ranked 60th on the world stage and fourth in Africa.
Nigerian football team improves in latest FIFA ranking
Abuja: Nigeria's football national team, the Super Eagles have moved up two places, to 29th, in the latest world ranking, a statement by FIFA said on Friday.The FIFA rankings came after more than six months of disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the latest ranking released by the football governing body on Thursday, the Super Eagles got 1,493 points even though they did not play a game within the period under review.The West African nation is now third on the continent, trailing Senegal (20th) and Tunisia (26th).