Five-times world champions Brazil remained at a record low in the FIFA world rankings yesterday, below Ecuador, Switzerland and Greece and only six places above Mali.
The 2014 World Cup hosts are 18th in the table while Mali, who have never played at the World Cup, are 24th after climbing one place.
South America’s 10 teams all remained in the top 50, with the lowest-ranked Venezuela occupying 43rd place.
Brazil are not involved in the World Cup qualifiers and have plummeted down the rankings as friendlies earn fewer points than competitive games in the completed rankings calculations.
Japan are Asia’s highest-ranked team in 26th while Ivory Coast, 13th, are the top Africans and Mexico, 15th, are the CONCACAF region’s top-ranked side.
There was no change among the leaders where world and European champions Spain are top, followed by Germany, Argentina, England and Italy.
Meanwhile, the Malta national team has moved up two placings in the latest rankings following last month’s goalless draw against Northern Ireland in an international friendly at Ta’ Qali.
Pietro Ghedin’s men are now ranked 147th and can further improve their position with a positive result in this month’s World...
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