European champion Spain still tops FIFA rankings

ZURICH, Switzerland — European champion Spain remained first in the FIFA rankings for the seventh straight month, and the United States stayed atop its region at No. 22.

With just 47 international matches played since the December rankings, the top remained unchanged in the January rankings released Wednesday. Germany was second, followed by the Netherlands, world champion Italy, Brazil, Argentina, England, Russia and Turkey.

The United States, which hasn't played since November, meets Sweden in an exhibition game on Jan. 24 at Carson, Calif., then hosts No. 26 Mexico on Feb. 11 at Columbus, Ohio, as the final round of World Cup qualifying starts in the North and Central American and Caribbean region.