Thursday 04 April 2019, 07:59

Uruguay, England edge forward as podium unchanged

While there were 150 games played across the globe during the international period, things remain tight at the top of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking as the top three remained unchanged.

This sees Belgium (1st, unchanged) maintain a slender lead – growing it marginally to three points – over 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ winners France (2nd, unchanged). Brazil (3rd, unchanged), however, are looking over their shoulders somewhat as England (4th, up 1) leapfrogged World Cup finalists Croatia (5th, down 1).

Uruguay (6th, up 1) are the only other movers within the top ten, whereas a dramatic win for Germany (13th, up 3) saw them overtake defeated opponents the Netherlands (16th, down 2), as well as Sweden (14th, unchanged) and Chile (15th, down 2).

Israel (84th, up  8) enjoyed the biggest jump of all, followed closely by Guatemala (143rd, up 6) and Tanzania (131st, up 6) after the latter booked their CAF Africa Cup of Nations place. Two other sides preparing to appear at Africa’s showpiece in June, Congo DR (46th, up 5) and Ghana (49th, up 3), were the only two sides to breach the top 50, while Kosovo (127th, plus 3) continued their steady climb up the World Ranking.

LeaderBelgium (unchanged)
Moves into top tenNone
Moves into out of top tenNone
Matches played in total150
Most matches playedBarbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia (five matches each)
Biggest move by pointsIsrael (plus 20 points)
Biggest move by ranksIsrael (plus 8 ranks)
Biggest drop by pointsAustria (minus 30 points)
Biggest drop by ranksAustria (minus 11 ranks)
Newly ranked teamsNone
Teams no longer rankedNone
Inactive teams, not rankedNone