Germany overtake Brazil to top FIFA world ranking

World Cup champions Germany has returned to the top of the FIFA World Ranking, overtaking Brazil who moved down to No.2 while Syria are among a clutch of teams to reached new heights.

World Cup qualifying wins over the Czech Republic and Norway, combined with Brazil's draw with Colombia, have allowed the world champions to regain the summit.

Euro 2016 winners Portugal are up three places to third, above Argentina in fourth, while Belgium jumped back into the top five off the back of a 9-0 win over Gibraltar and 2-1 victory in Greece.

Spain remain 11th, while England drop to 15th, their lowest ranking since June 2015. Italy who were beaten 3-0 in Madrid this month, slipped five places to 17th while Wales moved up five places to 13th.

Northern Ireland reached their highest ever position of 20th while Luxembourg, who got a shock draw with France, are up 35 places to 101st, their highest ranking yet.

Peru (12th), Northern Ireland (20th) and Syria (75th) all reached record-breaking positions.

NEW #FIFARANKING
🇩🇪🔝
🇵🇹&🇧🇪 into top 5⃣
🇵🇪@SeleccionPeru, @NorthernIreland & 🇸🇾Syria reach all-time highs 💪
ℹ️👉https://t.co/WBTgrGqed1 pic.twitter.com/xIumGLw90N

— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) September 14, 2017

Bolivia (46th, up 22), Montenegro (37th, up 15), Bulgaria (38th, up 14), Scotland (43rd, up 15) and Haiti (48th, up seven) are five fresh entries in the top 50.

Cape Verde are the biggest climbers moving up 47 places to 67th following shock back-to-back wins over South Africa.

Egypt remains first in Africa and 30 in the world followed by Tunisia in second and Senegal in third who are 31 and 33 in the world respectively. 

Completing the top five in Africa is Congo Dr in fourth and 42 in the world followed by Nigeria in fifth and 44 in the world.

The next FIFA world rankings will be released on 16 October.