Belgium overtake France at No. 1 in latest FIFA ranking

Belgium have edged ahead of France to take outright top spot in the latest October FIFA's world rankings, released on Thursday, with Brazil in third followed by Croatia and England in fourth and fifth respectively.

Tiny Gibraltar were the biggest risers thanks to their first two competitive wins this month.

Belgium and France had been tied at the top last month and while both sides won one game and drew another in October, the Belgians -- with 1,733 points -- moved ahead by a single point under the formula for calculating the rankings.

Belgium beat Switzerland in the Nations League and drew with Netherlands in a friendly. World champions France defeated Germany in the Nations League and were held by Iceland in a friendly.

Brazil, one of only two non-European sides in the top 10 along with Uruguay, remain third, followed by Croatia and England.

Gibraltar, who only became FIFA members in 2016, rose eight places to their best ranking of 190th thanks to their Nations League wins in Armenia and at home Liechtenstein.

In Africa, Nigeria’s Super Eagles moved up by four spots to the 44th and third in Africa behind Tunisia and Senegal.

Madagascar, who earlier this month qualified for their first African Nations Cup finals, climbed into the top 100 for the first time since 2002. They were ranked 100th.

Iran, the top Asian side is ranked 30th.

The ranking was published on the website of the world football governing body on Thursday