Brazil dethrones Spain at top of FIFA world rankings; US moves up 2 spots to No. 12
By APWednesday, July 1, 2009
Brazil moves to top of FIFA rankings; US at No. 12
ZURICH — Brazil has ended Spain’s one-year reign as the world’s top soccer team and the United States moved up two spots to No. 12.
The FIFA rankings released Wednesday reflected the recent Confederations Cup tournament in which Brazil rallied for a 3-2 victory over the U.S. in the final.
Brazil rose four spots, gaining No. 1 for the first time since August 2007. European champion Spain, upset by the U.S. in the semifinal 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.
North Korea jumped 23 spots to No. 83 after it qualified for its first World Cup since 1966.
Tags: Brazil, Latin America And Caribbean, North America, North Korea, Soc-fifa-world-rankings, South America, United States, Zurich
