Brazil will head into the 2022 FIFA World Cup as the top-ranked nation after extending their lead over second-placed Belgium.
The South American giants are among the favorites to win the tournament in Qatar, which would be their record-breaking sixth crown. Tite’s side are also aiming to become the first non-European nation to win the World Cup since they won it in 2002 in South Korea and Japan.
Brazil won their two friendlies against Ghana and Tunisia, while second-placed Belgium lost to the Netherlands in the Nations League. Their arch-rivals Argentina are third in the rankings after extending their unbeaten run of games to 34 in the recent international break.
Current world champions France are fourth on the list, one place above England. Gareth Southgate’s side remain in fifth despite not winning in six matches. European champions Italy, who failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup, rose to sixth place.
Spain fell one place to seventh in the rankings, while European heavyweights Netherlands, Portugal and Denmark make up the rest of the Top 10. FIFA World Cup hosts Qatar are ranked 50th heading into their first edition of the competition. Ghana ranks the lowest out of this year’s qualified nations at 61st.