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Thanks to the most recent wins in the World Cup Qualifiers against Estonia and Israel, the national team continue to climb the FIFA Rankings and are now in 9th place, with Spain still in the lead. Argentina replace France in second place, who were held back by a 2-2 draw with Iceland last Monday in Reykjavik.
Taking advantage of Brazil’s defeat in the friendly against Japan, the Netherlands overtake the Seleção and move up to 6th place, while after a brief absence, Germany returns to the top ten (10th, +2). Notable progress has also been made by Hungary (37th, +4), Scotland (38th, +5), Nigeria (41st, +4), and Romania (47th, +4), but the most significant climbs come from Kosovo (84th, +7) and from Niger (108th), the Faroe Islands (127th), and Lesotho (144th), all of which move up nine places. After recent defeats in the World Cup qualifiers, Greece (48th) and Sweden (40th) both drop eight positions. The next FIFA Ranking will be published on November 21 and will also be used to determine the seeded teams for the World Cup play-offs, whose draw is scheduled for the same day in Zurich.