With no fewer than 152 FIFA World Cup™ qualifying games as well as 25 friendlies played across the globe in the first half of September, the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking released on 16 September is unsurprisingly much changed.
While Belgium (1st) and Brazil (2nd) continue to lead the way, there is a new face on the podium. Following mixed results in Qatar 2022 qualifying this month (two draws and a win), France (4, - 1) drop out of the Top 3, allowing England (3, +1) to take their place courtesy of two wins and a draw some nine years after last being there.
With three victories in as many games, Denmark (10, + 1) break into the Top 10, where Portugal (7, + 1) and Spain (8, - 1) swap positions.
The most notable climbs among the top 50 came from IR Iran (22, + 4), Russia (37, + 4), Norway (39, + 4), Scotland (45, + 4) and Northern Ireland (47, + 4).
However, it is below 50th place that we see the best progressions in this edition, namely those of Libya (110, + 12), Canada (51, + 8), Liberia (144, + 6), Malta (171, + 6), Panama (68, + 6), Bulgaria (70, + 5) and Saudi Arabia (56, + 5).
Special mention has to go to Kosovo (109, + 6) who, having beaten Georgia (1-0) and held Greece (1-1), climb to 109th place and an all-time high.
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