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Spain tops FIFA rankings, Brazil sinks to No. 18

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Neymar and Brazil go into the new year with a new coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Neymar and Brazil go into the new year with a new coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari.

World Cup and European champion Spain has completed a full year atop the FIFA rankings, 2014 World Cup host Brazil has plummeted to No. 18 and the U.S. dropped one spot to No. 28.

Brazil has dropped while playing only non-competitive matches, and failed to win last month.

Brazil lost against Argentina, which remains at No. 3, and drew with Colombia, which rises to No. 5.

The rankings weigh a four-year results cycle, and Brazil lost points from a 6-2 victory over Portugal in 2008.

Spain leads No. 2 Germany, with European Championship finalist Italy at No. 4. England is No. 6, and Europe fills all places through Switzerland at No. 12.

Ivory Coast is Africa's best at No. 14. Mexico is No. 15, and Japan leads Asia at No. 22.

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