ZURICH – Argentina has regained the lead in FIFA’s world rankings with South America’s top teams surging after playing World Cup qualifying matches.
Argentina ends No. 2 Belgium’s five-month reign, and Chile and Colombia rise to be Nos. 3 and 4.
South American teams played two World Cup qualifiers in March which score higher than friendlies played by European teams, whose 2018 qualifying program starts in September.
World Cup winner Germany is No. 5 and European champion Spain is No. 6, followed by Brazil.
Mexico, rising six places to No. 16, leads CONCACAF nations. The United States is up one at No. 29.
No teams from Africa or Asia make the top 32.
Algeria leads African teams at No. 33 and Asia’s best is No. 42 Iran.
