Spain still lead FIFA rankings; India rise to 143

Zurich: World and European champion Spain remain atop the FIFA rankings, while Afghanistan made a big move in a quiet month for international football.

India moved by 24 places in the latest rankings released on Thursday. India earned 177 points to jump from 167 to 143. Afghanistan rise to their highest place, up 48 spots to 141st, after victories in AFC Challenge Cup matches.

Spain heads Germany, Argentina, England and Italy. Colombia is alone in sixth with Portugal dropping from a tie into seventh, as results in the four-year cycle lost value in the calculations.

World and European champion Spain remain atop the FIFA rankings, while India made a big move to jump from 167 to 143.

Africa's top-ranked team, Ivory Coast, dropped one place to No. 13. Mexico stays No. 15, and the United States falls one place to No. 33 despite not playing. Japan leads Asia at No. 26, rising two spots. The 98th-ranked Qatar returns to the top 100 after the 2022 World Cup host beat Egypt in a friendly.

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