Belgium, France emerge first ever joint-leaders in FIFA rankings
France’s defender Samuel Umtiti (top) heads the ball to score the opening goal during the Russia 2018 World Cup semi-final football match between France and Belgium at the Saint Petersburg Stadium in Saint Petersburg on July 10, 2018. CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP
Roberto Martinez’s side, who finished third in Russia, have moved up one place to top the ranking for the first time since 2015.
World Cup semi-finalists England stay in sixth place.
Wales are in 19th, Northern Ireland drop a place to 28th and Scotland are up one to 39th.
Republic of Ireland are down once place to 30th.
The only other change in the top 10 sees Denmark drop below Spain into 10th place.
Germany, who fell from first to 15th place in August after their group stage exit from the World Cup, have moved up to 12th.
The rankings were introduced in December 1992.
Belgium beat Iceland in the Nations League and Scotland in a friendly earlier this month, while France beat the Netherlands, but drew 0-0 with Germany in the Nations League.
