World champion Spain tops FIFA rankings

The Associated Press
Published Wednesday, November 23, 2011 9:29AM EST

ZURICH, Switzerland - World and European champion Spain stayed atop FIFA's monthly world rankings on Wednesday, despite losing a friendly to England which climbed two places to No. 5.

Canada, meanwhile, jumped 11 spots to No. 72.

The Netherlands remained second but third-placed Germany narrowed the gap after winning 3-0 in a friendly between the sides.

South American champion Uruguay closed on the top three, beating Chile in 2014 World Cup qualifying and No. 9 Italy in a friendly to remain unbeaten in 13 matches.

England was helped by its friendly wins against Spain and No. 18 Sweden to climb above sixth-placed Brazil, which gained fewer ranking points beating Egypt and Gabon.

Portugal and Croatia won 2012 European Championship playoffs and rose to seventh and eighth respectively.

Photos

Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas, center, holds up the World Cup trophy as he and other team members celebrate, as South African President Jacob Zuma, front right, and FIFA president Sepp Blatter, second from right in front, look on during the World Cup final soccer match between the Netherlands and Spain at Soccer City in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday, July 11, 2010. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

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