Zurich:
Spain regained first place from Brazil in FIFA's monthly world rankings on Friday.
The European champions regained the top spot they lost to the South Americans in July after friendly wins over fellow World Cup qualifier Argentina and Austria.
Brazil beat England 1-0 and Oman 2-0 in the past week but was still overtaken because older ranking points lost value and its wins came against lower-ranked opposition.
The Netherlands and Italy stayed third and fourth, while the biggest mover in the top 10 was Portugal, which rose five places to fifth by twice beating Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0 to qualify for next year's World Cup.
Portugal was one of several sides to benefit in the rankings from playing more World Cup qualifying matches.
Germany slipped a place to sixth and France rose two to seventh after Thierry Henry's handball set up the goal that sent his country to the World Cup ahead of Ireland. Ireland dropped two places to No. 36.
Argentina, England and Croatia rounded out the top 10, with Cameroon the top-ranked African nation at No. 11.
The United States dropped three places to 14th, with Australia the best-placed team from the Asian confederation at No. 21.
The European champions regained the top spot they lost to the South Americans in July after friendly wins over fellow World Cup qualifier Argentina and Austria.
Brazil beat England 1-0 and Oman 2-0 in the past week but was still overtaken because older ranking points lost value and its wins came against lower-ranked opposition.
The Netherlands and Italy stayed third and fourth, while the biggest mover in the top 10 was Portugal, which rose five places to fifth by twice beating Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0 to qualify for next year's World Cup.
Portugal was one of several sides to benefit in the rankings from playing more World Cup qualifying matches.
Germany slipped a place to sixth and France rose two to seventh after Thierry Henry's handball set up the goal that sent his country to the World Cup ahead of Ireland. Ireland dropped two places to No. 36.
Argentina, England and Croatia rounded out the top 10, with Cameroon the top-ranked African nation at No. 11.
The United States dropped three places to 14th, with Australia the best-placed team from the Asian confederation at No. 21.
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