Germany stay top of FIFA World Ranking, Senegal climb to highest place

Germany will stay top of the FIFA World Ranking when the new list is published on Nov. 23.

The world champions have now held the No. 1 position for three consecutive months, and the top five remains unchanged for the second month in a row with Brazil, Portugal, Argentina andBelgium next in the ranking.

Spain climb two places to sixth, withFrance dropping two to ninth. That means Spain would have been in pot 1 in the World Cup finals draw on Dec. 1 had the seedings been decided on the new ranking, but FIFA has opted to use the October edition and that puts Les Bleus in the top pot.

Switzerland re-enter the top 10 after their World Cup playoff victory over Northern Ireland, up three into eighth. Poland andChile both drop one position, into seventh and 10th respectively, while Peru slip out of the top 10 into 11th despite qualifying for the finals.

One of the big climbers are Denmark, up seven places into 12th after they beat Republic of Ireland to reach the World Cup. It is their highest position for five years and their superb recovery in World Cup qualification is perfectly illustrated by their climb from 51st in the world in June -- a rise of 39 places in five months.

Germany drew with both England and France over the past week.

Sweden are the only team to move back into the top 20 after eliminating Italy, up seven to 18th, while Italy actually move up a place into 14th.

England slip three places into 15th, withWales down five into 19th to drop below their neighbours.

One of the other big climbers are Senegal, who beat South Africa home and away in qualifiers. They are now up to 23rd in the world, a rise of nine spots, which is their highest-ever ranking -- their previous best was 26th in 2004 -- and it also makes them the top African side. Tunisia follow, up one into 27th, with Egypt down a place in 31st.

Iran are still the No. 1 nation in Asia, up two into 32nd, with Australia up four places into 39th -- the Socceroos' best place since 2013 -- but Japan slip 10 places into 54th.

Mexico stay out in front of the CONCACAF nations, still in 16th, with United States up three places into 24th and Costa Ricaslipping four to sit 26th.

NEW FIFA RANKING TOP 20

1. Germany
2. Brazil
3. Portugal
4. Argentina
5. Belgium
6. Spain
7. Poland
8. Switzerland
9. France
10. Chile
11. Peru
12. Denmark
13. Colombia
14. Italy
15. England
16. Mexico
17. Croatia
18. Sweden
19. Wales
20. Netherlands