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Spain stays top of FIFA world rankings
Posted Wednesday, January 18, 2012 by YAHOO Sport

ZURICH (AP)—World and European champion Spain stayed atop FIFA’s mainly unchanged rankings on Wednesday.

The top 10 places remained the same after just 11 international matches were played last month.

The Netherlands was second, ahead of Germany, South American champion Uruguay and England. Brazil, Portugal, Croatia, Italy and Argentina completed the elite places.

Chile moved up one spot to No. 12, trading places with Russia. Switzerland and Sweden also rose one, to Nos. 16 and 17.

Africa Cup of Nations favorite Ivory Coast dropped two to No. 18 before the tournament kickoff on Saturday.

Host teams Gabon and Equatorial Guinea are No. 91 and No. 151, respectively.

Japan leads Asia at No. 19, and No. 21 Mexico heads the CONCACAF teams.

Standings
    Rank Team W/D/L Pts

    Cities & Stadiums

    The Top 3 Teams of Previous Tournaments

    Year Winners Runner-up Third place
    2008SpainGermanyRussia / Turkey
    2004GreecePortugalNetherlands / Czech Republic
    2000FranceItalyNetherlands / Portugal
    1996GermanyCzech RepublicFrance / England
    1992DenmarkGermanyNetherlands / Sweden
    1988NetherlandsSoviet UnionItaly / West Germany
    1984FranceSpainDenmark / Portugal
    1980West GermanyBelgiumCzechoslovakia
    1976CzechoslovakiaWest GermanyNetherlands
    1972West GermanySoviet UnionBelgium
    1968ItalyYugoslaviaEngland
    1964SpainSoviet UnionHungary
    1960Soviet UnionYugoslaviaCzechoslovakia