KEY POINTS:
LONDON - Brazil have finished top of the FIFA rankings for a fifth year in succession with world champions Italy close behind in second, FIFA announced on today.
Italy were only a couple of better results from taking top spot but claim the title of best mover of the year after gaining almost 500 extra points and leaping to second from 12th.
Nigeria remain in ninth spot and are among the other notable movers of the year, along with World Cup runners-up France and semi-finalists Germany. There are no changes to the positions in the rankings from November.
Top 10 Points:
1 Brazil 1,588
2 Italy 1,560
3 Argentina 1,551
4 France 1,523
5 England 1,359
6 Germany 1,350
7 Netherlands 1,305
8 Portugal 1,258
9 Nigeria 1,244
10 Czech Republic 1,190
- REUTERS
