Spain tops FIFA rankings

Zurich - Soccer World Cup champions Spain have stayed atop FIFA's rankings, while Germany and England have risen after back-to-back wins in European Championship qualifiers.

New rankings released on Wedensday showed France, which lost a home Euro 2012 qualifier against Belarus, dropped to No 27 - its worst position since rankings were introduced in 1993.

Spain's lead narrowed over the Netherlands, and Germany is No. 3, dropping Brazil to No.4.

Argentina stays at No 5, with England now sixth ahead of Uruguay. Portugal, African champion Egypt and Chile complete the top 10.

Norway and Slovakia used a pair of Euro 2012 wins to jump to No 14 and No 16 respectively.

The United States remains at No 18.

Switzerland, Australia and Russia dropped out of the top 20.

FIFA rankings released on Wednesday for September (August position in parentheses):

1. Spain (1).

2. Netherlands (2).

3. Germany (4).

4. Brazil (3).

5. Argentina (5).

6. England (7).

7. Uruguay (6).

8. Portugal (8).

9. Egypt (9).

10. Chile (10).

11. Croatia (14).

12. Greece (12).

13. Italy (11).

14. Norway (22).

15. Serbia (13).

16. Slovakia (27).

17. Paraguay (15).

18. USA (18).

19. Slovenia (19).

20. Ghana (23).