World and European soccer champion France finished the year ranked world No 1, topping the FIFA rankings for the first time since they began in 1993 and ending a longtime domination of Brazil.
France has 812 points in the rankings released on Wednesday, followed by Argentina with 802 and Brazil, last year's winner, with 793. Colombia climbed 10 placed to finish No. 5 on the strength of its Copa America victory in May. Soccer powers Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Mexico and England complete the top 10.
Costa Rica, which jumped 30 places to finish at No. 30, won the "Mover of the Year" award which weighs up the points won in the course of the year against the team's strength. A total of 934 international matches were played in 2001, down from 1,043 the year before.

Bureau Report