Brazil tops FIFA rankings, US moves up to No. 11

ZURICH — Confederations Cup champion Brazil remained at the top of the FIFA rankings for a third straight month, while the United States moved up to No. 11.

European champion Spain stayed second, followed by The Netherlands in world rankings announced Wednesday. World champion Italy gained points to pull even with Germany in fourth place,

The United States, the Confederations Cup runner-up in June, rose one place to No. 11, its best placing since the 2006 World Cup.

Russia, England and Argentina were unchanged from Nos. 6-8, and No. 9 Croatia traded places with France, which rounds out the top 10.

Mexico used its victory in a World Cup qualifying match over the Americans last month to improve six places to No. 24.

Australia leads the Asian confederation nations and rose two places to its best-ever No. 14, while Ivory Coast led Africa despite falling two spots to No. 20.

Chile, which beat No. 16 Denmark in an exhibition last month, moved up five places to No. 21. Norway rose seven to No. 43 after beating Scotland 4-0 in a World Cup qualifier. Uruguay fell seven to No. 28 and the Scots dropped six to No. 30.

Among other nations rising in status, No. 92 Angola rose 10 places and Kyrgyzstan climbed 17 to No. 143.

A total of 70 matches, including eight World Cup qualifiers, counted toward the rankings.