England move up to 3rd in FIFA rankings

PARIS (AFP) –

(From right) English headcoach Roy Hodgson, midfielder Steven Gerrard and Scott Parker are pictured during a training session at the Suche Stawy municipal stadium in Krakow, June 2012. England moved up to third place in the new FIFA world rankings in August, the country’s highest ever position since the creation of the classification.

England moved up to third place in the new FIFA world rankings in August, the country’s highest ever position since the creation of the classification, football’s world governing body said on Wednesday.

World champions Spain remain at the top of the rankings after they retained their European title in July, with beaten Euro 2012 semi-finalists Germany still in second place.

Roy Hodgson’s England, who were knocked out at the quarter-final stage of Euro 2012 to beaten finalists Italy, moved up one position, swapping places with Uruguay, who lost points due to the devaluation of matches from last year’s Copa America.

Brazil dropped two places to 13th, while Russia moved up two spots to 11th.

South Sudan, which in May became the 209th member of FIFA, played its first official match since the country was founded, a 2-2 draw with Uganda. The African nation entered the FIFA rankings for the first time in 199th position.

Only 12 international matches were taken into account for the latest rankings and the classification for September could see more movement after a series of friendly fixtures scheduled for August 15.

FIFA world rankings:

1. Spain

2. Germany

3. England (+1)

4. Uruguay (-1)

5. Portugal

6. Italy

7. Argentina

8. Netherlands

9. Croatia

10. Denmark

11. Russia (+2)

12. Greece

13. Brazil (-2)

14. France

15. Chile

16. Ivory Coast

17. Sweden

18. Mexico (+1)

19. Czech Republic (-1)

20. Ecuador (+7)