Summary Belgium will end the year as No. 1 ahead of world champions France in the global rankings
PARIS (AFP) - Belgium will end the year as No. 1 ahead of world champions France in the global rankings released by FIFA on Thursday. Belgium, beaten by France in the World Cup semi-finals, edge Didier Deschamps team by one ranking point.
Belgium have 1,727 points by FIFA s calculations to 1,726 for France. Brazil are third on 1,676.
FIFA noted on their web site that France, who were ranked No. 9 last Christmas, were the year s "Best Mover" after a "stellar 2018...having gained more points (165) since December 2017 than any other nation."
The governing body of world football also noted that Europe and Asia have gained top-50 places at the expense of Africa.
Europe has 31, an increase of two, Asia is up one to three and Africa is down three to five top-50 representatives. Kosovo were the biggest climbers, jumping 46 places to 131.
FIFA rankings, Dec 20:
1. Belgium
2. France
3. Brazil
4. Croatia
5. England
6. Portugal
7. Uruguay
8. Switzerland
9. Spain
10. Denmark.
