Brazil regain FIFA top spot

Confederations Cup winners Brazil returned to the top of the FIFA world rankings on Wednesday for the first time since August 2007 by jumping four places and knocking European champions Spain down to second spot.

Netherlands have dropped to third ahead of world champions Italy while Germany fall two places to fifth.

Russia were the second-biggest movers in the top 10, rising from ninth to sixth ahead of England, Argentina and France.

Confederations Cup finalists the United States moved up two spots to 12th, while 15th-placed Denmark are back in the top 20 one position above Australia who have climbed from 29th.

The rankings are based on performances over the last four years.

FIFA RANKINGS (last month's positions in brackets)

1. (5) Brazil

2. (1) Spain

3. (2) Netherlands

4. (4) Italy

5. (3) Germany

6. (9) Russia

7. (6) England

8. (7) Argentina

9. (10) France

10. (8) Croatia

11. (17) Greece

12. (14) United States

13. (16) Switzerland

14. (20) Serbia

15. (24) Denmark

16. (29) Australia

17. (11) Portugal

18. (38) Ivory Coast

19. (19) Ukraine

20. (17) Uruguay