U.S. jumps, Brazil falls in FIFA rankings
Clint Dempsey and the U.S. moved up after drawing Mexico 0-0 in World Cup qualifying.
Hector Vivas/Getty Images
Five-time World Cup champion Brazil dropped to No. 19 in the FIFA rankings on Thursday, and the United States moved up five places to No. 28.
Spain, the defending World Cup and European champion, stayed at the top, followed by Germany and Argentina. Croatia and Portugal round out the top five.
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Next year's World Cup will be in Brazil and the country's national team has automatically qualified for the tournament as the host.
The rankings are based on results over a four-year cycle and Brazil, which fell one place, has dropped because it does not have to play in World Cup qualifying.
