World Champions Germany return to top of FIFA`s rankings

Paris: Germany`s charge to claim Sunday`s World Cup title has seen them return to the top of FIFA`s world rankings for the first time in around 20 years.

The latest list, published on Thursday, has Germany moving up one place on the strength of their 1-0 defeat of Argentina at Rio de Janeiro`s Maracana. Lionel Messi`s Argentina are placed second, an improvement of three places, with the Netherlands leaping 12 rungs into third after their impressive World Cup third place finish. The James Rodriguez-inspired Colombia move up to fourth (+4), ahead of Belgium (+6) and Uruguay while disappointing Brazil dropped four spots to seventh. Deposed world champions Spain slumped seven spots to their new modest placing of eighth, with Switzerland and France (+7) completing the top ten. Costa Rica`s remarkable charge to the quarter-finals was rewarded with a jump of 12 places to 16th. England`s woeful first round exit resulted in Roy Hodgson`s side dropping ten places to 20th.Latest FIFA rankings 1. Germany (+1) 2. Argentina (+3) 3. Netherlands (+12) 4. Colombia (+4) 5. Belgium (+6) 6. Uruguay (+1) 7. Brazil (-4) 8. Spain (-7) 9. Switzerland (-3) 10. France (+7) 11. Portugal (-7) 12. Chile (+2) 13. Greece (-1) 14. Italy (-5) 15. USA (-2) 16. Costa Rica (+12) 17. Croatia (+1) 18. Mexico (+2) 19. Bosnia and Hercegovina (+2) 20. England (-10)