Argentina top FIFA rankings, India 145th

THE BEST: Argentine players celebrate at the end of a World Cup 2010 qualifying match against Venezuela.

ibnlive.com is on mobile now. Read news, watch videos
be a Citizen Journalist. Log on to m.ibnlive.com NOW!

Related Stories

• Ticket scandal mars Soccer World Cup

• India ranked 55th in women's soccer

• Italy take top spot in FIFA rankings

Top Headlines

Top Videos

Most Popular

• Strike at one oil firm ends, others to follow suit 

• Satyam: A new storm in India's cup of woes 

• 'Govt, regulator ignored warning about Satyam'  

• Maoists drag Bachchans into Pashupatinath row 

• Pak role in 26/11 attacks possible: Imran Khan 

• US sees 26/11 as model for future terrorism 

• Biden to visit Pak | Don't accuse Pak sans proof: Mulford 

• India convinced of Pak army role in Mumbai attacks 

• Shiv Sena snubs Karkare's kin for being soft on Kasab 

• Noida rape: Boy confesses, Panchayat says not guilty 

• Oil PSU strike continues, consumers bear the brunt 

• Pak role in 26/11 attacks possible: Imran Khan 

• US backs India on 26/11 but Pak not listening 

• Satyam fiasco could affect Hyd metro rail project  

• Power slips out of Soren's hands yet again 

• Rampant criminal activities make Noida insecure  

• Not amused by starry tantrums? here are the fetishes 

• Watch: John Abraham's Aashayein stuck in the cans 

• Three Indian artists nominated for Grammys 

• Recession-hit US porn industry demands bailout 

• Pak role in 26/11 attacks possible: Imran Khan 

• Bringing Satyam auditor PwC to book may not be easy 

• India convinced of Pak army role in Mumbai attacks 

• Oil PSU strike continues, consumers bear the brunt 

• Noida rape: Boy confesses, Panchayat says not guilty 

• US backs India on 26/11 but Pak not listening 

• India screeching to halt as fuel runs out 

• Recession-hit US porn industry demands bailout 

• Oil PSU strike: Govt acts tough, to call in Army 

• Slumdog Millionaire sweeps Critics Choice Awards 

Photogallery

Find us on Facebook | Join IBNLive community

Stay ahead with G-Talk Buddy | Click now!

Zurich: Argentina returned to the top of football's world rankings on Wednesday, with World Cup champion Italy dropping two places to third.

Argentina climbed one spot after wins over Chile and Venezuela in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup. Brazil beat Ecuador 5-0 and drew at Colombia to also climb one place.

Italy played just one game in European Championship qualifying, although they did beat Georgia 2-0. Their minor decline was because victories from previous years, especially their win against Ukraine in October 2006, are now worth fewer points.

Argentina have 1,533 points, 74 more than Brazil and 146 more than Italy. France rose two places to fourth, while Germany dropped a spot to fifth despite securing their place at next year's European Championship.

Spain, Netherlands, Portugal, Czech Republic and Croatia rounded out the top 10, with England dropping two spots to No. 11 after a 2-1 loss at Russia that put their qualification for Euro 2008 in doubt.

Russia were the biggest climber in the top 50, moving up 10 places to 16th - their best placing in 10 years.

Scotland rose to 13th, two places behind traditional rival England, for their highest position since FIFA introduced its rankings in 1993.

Mexico dropped two spots to 15th but were still three places above the United States, which stayed fixed at No. 18.

Nigeria climbed four to 19th and stayed the highest ranked African team, while No. 30 Japan were the best Asian team.

India have maintained their 145th rank.