In Pictures: FIFA rankings

Fourth-place England improved two places after their recent victory over Brazil in a friendly, pushing Italy to fifth spot, followed by Colombia, Portugal, Netherlands, Croatia and Russia in 10th.

Five-times World Cup winners and 2014 World Cup hosts Brazil stay in 18th, their lowest-ever ranking.

Nigeria v Burkina Faso - 2013 Africa Cup of Nations Final

Africa Cup of Nations winners Nigeria leapt 22 places up the standings. The Super Eagles, who edged Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final, rise to 30th place in the table, their best position for three years.

Their opponents Burkina Faso, who defied expectations by reaching the final, stayed outside the top 50 but have jumped 37 places to 55th.

Ivory Coast takes the honours as the top-ranked African country in twelfth spot, followed by Ghana seven places below. The continent still remains without a team in the top ten however.

The USA dropped four spots to 32nd after losing a World Cup qualifier to 51st-ranked Honduras.

Mexico leads CONCACAF nations in 15th spot, while Japan leads Asian nations at No. 28, down seven places.

The Venezuelan national football team pl

South America showed their strength-in-depth as Venezuela climbed 10 places to 45th, leaving all of the continent(***)s 10 teams in the top 50.

And last, but not least, tied in 207th place are The Turks and Caicos Islands, Bhutan and San Marino.