Zurich: Brazil surged to the top of the FIFA world rankings for the first time in seven years on yesterday, made all the sweeter as they usurped great rivals Argentina. It caps a terrific week for Neymar and Brazil — last week they became the first country to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, their latest step on the road to redemption after the embarrassment and heartache of their World Cup failure on home soil in 2014.
Tite’s side won 4-1 in Uruguay and 3-0 at home to Paraguay to secure their place in Russia — they have won their last eight qualifiers, scoring 24 goals in the process, and their last nine games including friendlies. Brazil were dumped off top spot after their elimination from the 2010 World Cup in South Africa in the quarter-finals.
The five-time World Cup winners dominated the world rankings throughout the last two decades but slumped to a record low of 22nd in 2013. Their new surge is in contrast to Argentina and Neymar’s Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi, whose country are in danger of missing out on next year’s World Cup. They will not be able to call on their star man for three of their four remaining qualification matches because of suspension. Third in the rankings are world champions Germany, followed by Chile and Colombia in a South American-dominated top five. Switzerland enter the top 10, up to ninth, with former number ones Spain clinging on in 10th.


India rises to 101
Meanwhile, India jumped 31 places to be at the 101st spot, their best in a couple of decades. From 132, Stephen Constantine’s boys rode their narrow 1-0 win against Myanmar in their third round opener of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers to record their sixth consecutive victory.
India’s highest FIFA ranking so far has been 94, which was attained in February 1996 while India were ranked 99 in November 1993 and 100 in October 1993, December 1993 and April 1996. India accumulated a total of 331 points. Last month’s total saw them net 233 points.
The near historic rise in rankings has seen Sunil Chhetri and company leapfrog North Korea, Thailand, Latvia, Jordan and former Asia champions Iraq to name a few. India are tied on points with Estonia, Lithuania and Nicaragua. The ranking of 101 elevated India to 11th in Asia.
India were ranked 171 when Constantine took over the Indian team for the second time in February 2015 and slipped further to 173 in March 2015 in the FIFA ladder even before Constantine could have his first game in charge against Nepal, which India eventually won 2-0 on aggregate.
Post achieving the new ranking, India will play Lebanon in their first international friendly at home on June 7 before taking on Kyrgyzstan at home on June 13 in their next AFC Asian Cup qualifier. 

Top 15
1. Brazil (+1); 2. Argentina (-1); 3. Germany; 4. Chile; 5. Colombia (+2); 6. France; 7. Belgium (-2); 8. Portugal; 9. Switzerland (+2); 10. Spain; 11. Poland (+1); 12. Italy (+3); 13. Wales (-1); 14. England;  15. Uruguay (-6)


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