Paris - Belgium will end the year as No 1 ahead of world champions France in the global rankings released by FIFA on Thursday.
Belgium, beaten by France in the World Cup semi-finals, edge Didier Deschamps' team by one ranking point.
Belgium have 1 727 points by FIFA's calculations to 1 726 for France. Brazil are third on 1,676.
FIFA noted on their website that France, who were ranked No 9 last Christmas, were the year's "Best Mover" after a "stellar 2018... having gained more points (165) since December 2017 than any other nation."
The governing body of world football also noted that Europe and Asia have gained top-50 places at the expense of Africa.
Europe has 31, an increase of two, Asia is up one to three and Africa is down three to five top-50 representatives.
Kosovo were the biggest climbers, jumping 46 places to 131.
FIFA rankings, December 20:
1. Belgium
2. France
3. Brazil
4. Croatia
5. England
6. Portugal
7. Uruguay
8. Switzerland
9. Spain
10. Denmark
Selected
72. South Africa