ZURICH: Germany is back at the top of the FIFA rankings, taking over from Brazil after a busy World Cup qualifying program.
European champion Portugal is up three places to No. 3, while Argentina falls one to No. 4 and No. 5 Belgium climbs four places.
European teams, which each played two qualifiers, gained on their South American rivals and could have six of the eight seeded positions at the World Cup. Host Russia, ranked No. 64, and the seven highest-ranked teams in October should be seeded in the Dec. 1 draw.
Poland is No. 6, followed by Switzerland, France, Chile and Colombia.
The best of the other regions include Mexico at No. 14, Iran at No. 25 and Egypt at No. 30.