Football
ESPN staff 8y

FIFA World Ranking: Belgium take over top spot and depose Argentina

Belgium have risen to the top of the FIFA World Ranking for the first time ever, knocking Argentina off the summit.

Marc Wilmots' side moved into first place thanks to their 3-1 Euro 2016 qualifying win over Israel last month.

The Belgians were third in the most recent ranking, published at the start of October, but with Germany losing to Republic of Ireland and Argentina being defeated at home to Ecuador and drawing with Paraguay, the win against Israel took them to the top.

It put them on 1,440 ranking points, with Germany remaining in second place on 1,388 and Argentina falling to third on 1,383.

Belgium were 66th in the ranking in 2009, and have completed their rise to the top in just six years.

Elsewhere in the top 10, Chile have climbed four places to stand in fifth, while England are up a place in ninth and Austria are also up one to 10th, their highest-ever ranking.

However, Wales' short spell in the top 10 has come to an end, with Chris Colman's side dropping seven places from 8th to 15th.

Turkey's late winner against Iceland secured their place at Euro 2016 and took them from 36th to 18th in the table.

But Netherlands' dramatic slump since coming third at last summer's World Cup means they drop two places to 16th -- their lowest rank since 2000.

The U.S. are in 33rd place, a drop of four, with Mexico up three places in 24th.

Both Korea Republic, who have moved up five places to 48th, and Japan, up five places to 50th, join the top 50.

NEW FIFA RANKING TOP 20

1 -  Belgium
2 -  Germany  
3 -  Argentina
4 -  Portugal
5 -  Chile
6 -  Spain
7 -  Colombia
8 -  Brazil
9 -  England
10 - Austria
11 - Switzerland
12 - Uruguay
13 - Italy
14 - Romania
15 - Wales
16 - Netherlands
17 - Czech Republic
18 - Turkey
19 - Croatia
20 - Bosnia-Herzegovina

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