No challenge atop FIFA rankings

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ZURICH — European champion Spain remained atop the FIFA world rankings for the 11th straight month in the latest standings published Wednesday.

The top 25 teams remain unchanged after just 22 international matches were played in the past month, with 20 matches in the Asian confederation’s Challenge Cup and two friendlies in Africa.

Euro 2008 finalist Germany remains second, with the Netherlands third, Brazil fourth and world champion Italy fifth.

Argentina is sixth with European teams filling the rest of the top 10 _ England, Croatia, Russia and France.

Canada is unchanged at No. 89.

The United States is at No. 15, 10 places ahead of CONCACAF rival Mexico. Cameroon is 19th, the only African nation in the top 25.

Australia, at 32, leads the Asian confederation teams, while New Zealand, which rose one place to No. 78, is the best from Oceania.

Grenada climbed five places to a best-ever No. 103, while three nations made double-digit jumps. Sierra Leone was up 12 place to No. 98, No. 167 Pakistan rose 10 spots, and No. 168 Chinese Taipei climbed 12 places.

Sportsnet.ca no longer supports comments.