France Dethrones Germany In FIFA Rankings

FIFA have announced a new leader, topping the latest FIFA rankings, while previous top ranked team Germany as well as Argentina dropped out of the top 10.

The August FIFA rankings are the first ones calculated with a new formula after the old version had been criticized for favouring teams, who play less friendly games.

France have replaced Germany at the top of the ranking, climbing up by six spots after lifting the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Les Bleus lead the world rankings for the first time in over 16 years, while Russia 2018 semi-finalists Belgium replaced Brazil in second position.

The Selecao dropped down to third, followed by World Cup runner-ups Croatia, who climbed 16 ranks into fourth spot.

Uruguay jumped up nine positions and now sit in fifth, followed by England. Portugal, who fell three spots, Switzerland, Spain and Denmark complete the top 10, while Argentina dropped into 11th spot and Germany now only appear in 15th.

Tunisia remained the highest-ranked African side despite dropping three spots in 24th position, which is one above Senegal, while Bafana Bafana stayed unmoved in 74th spot.

*FIFA explain the new ranking formula as follows: The formula, which was approved by the FIFA Council in June after a lengthy period of testing, relies on adding/subtracting points won or lost for a game to/from the previous point totals rather than averaging game points over a given time period as in the previous version of the Ranking. The changes, of which there are several, include the fact that inactive teams now preserve their point totals, with no devaluation of older games. Points are dropped, however, from losing or drawing against weaker opposition, with the only exception to this rule matches in knockout rounds of major competitions such as the FIFA World Cup™.