Germany tops FIFA rankings despite loss to No. 2 Brazil
Juventus’ Sami Khedira, left, is challenged by Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos during a Champions League quarter-final, 2nd leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Juventus at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, April 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Paul White)
ZURICH — Germany stayed at the top of the FIFA rankings despite losing to No. 2 Brazil in a friendly last month.
The 2014 World Cup champions were beaten 1-0 at home in their last game before squads will be named for this year’s tournament in Russia.
Article continues after this advertisementBelgium rose two places to No. 3, while Portugal and Argentina each dropped one to Nos. 4 and 5 after losing friendlies. Spain, which beat Argentina 6-1, fell two to No. 8 and Russia fell three to No. 66.
Tunisia, Africa’s highest-ranked team, rose nine places to No. 14, dropping CONCACAF leader Mexico to No. 15. Iran leads the Asian teams at No. 36.
No. 70 Saudi Arabia is the lowest ranked World Cup team.
