Spain to end year atop FIFA ranking, Portugal jumps into top five

La Furia were able to leapfrog over Brazil in the past two weeks and take over the top spot in the November Coca-Cola FIFA rankings. Spain were helped out by Brazil's lack of urgency in their last two matches in World Cup qualifying play as they clinched the top spot in CONMEBOL on September 5th in Rosario against Argentina. The rankings have become a two-horse race as Brazilians and Spaniards have opened the gap even more between the rest of the world. Brazil is currently a whopping 313 points clear of third place Netherlands, who are now feeling the footsteps of the Azzurri ever so loudly.

Big Movers
Portugal was also an interesting story as they were the biggest mover in the top ten as they jumped into the top five after qualifying in the playoff against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Nigeria skyrocketed ten spots into the top 25 after rallying back and winning the qualifying group in Africa. Meanwhile the next big move was made by Uruguay after struggling against Costa Rica in the CONMEBOL/CONCACAF playoff. But the award goes to Slovenia after they were able to win 1-0 at home, leaving the Russians out of the World Cup in dramatic fashion. That triumph helped them move up 16 spots to 33. The Roy Keane Adding Salt to the Wound award goes to ... France. After barely getting by the Irish, the French moved up to seventh place. Based on that, and probably only that, Raymond Domenech saved his job. Meanwhile the Irish, you ask? They fell two spots to 33.

On Their Heels

The US see that Mexico are on their heels in more than one way. El Tri jumped up three spots while the US losses in Slovakia as well as in Aaborg against Denmark see the two CONCACAF giants. Mexico is only 49 points clear. Argentina fell another two spots to eighth after being outclassed by Spain this past weekend and the reality of the Albiceleste was once again exposed.

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Croatia, Russia, Czech Republic, Israel, and Ukraine will be the only current top 25 teams that wil not be taking part in the World Cup next year.

Top 25 Team Pts. +/-
1 Spain 1622 1
2 Brazil 1596 -1
3 Netherlands 1279 0
4 Italy 1215 0
5 Portugal 1181 5
6 Germany 1170 -1
7 France 1122 2
8 Argentina 1085 -2
9 England 1063 -2
10 Croatia* 1050 -2
11 Cameroon 1035 3
12 Greece 1028 4
13 Russia* 1019 -1
14 USA 980 -3
15 Mexico 931 3
16 Ivory Coast 927 3
17 Chile 926 0
18 Switzerland 924 -5
19 Uruguay 901 6
20 Serbia 900 0
21 Australia 863 3
22 Nigeria 848 10
23 Czech Republic* 843 -8
24 Israel* 842 -2
25 Ukraine* 827 1

* Eliminated from World Cup