England drop down FIFA rankings

17 July 2014 10:16

England have slumped to 20th in the latest FIFA rankings after the World Cup, with winners Germany replacing Spain at the top.

Roy Hodgson's side failed to win a match in Brazil, where they exited the group stage, and as a result have fallen below the likes of Colombia, who are up to fourth, Chile, Greece and the United States, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Hosts Brazil are down four places to seventh after being thumped 7-1 in their semi-final by Germany and then beaten by Holland, who have jumped 12 positions into third behind runners-up Argentina.

Like England, holders Spain also failed to qualify for the knockout stages and now find themselves in eighth place. Other European sides who struggled at the World Cup were Portugal, down in 11th, and Italy, now in 14th place.

Belgium's run to the quarter-finals in Brazil sees them up six places to fifth while France, beaten by Germany in their last-eight showdown, are back up into the top 10.

Scotland, meanwhile, remain 27th and Wales are 44th, with Northern Ireland up one spot to 89 while the Republic of Ireland are ranked 70th.

England will look to build again in the qualifying campaign for Euro 2016, when they will be in a group with Switzerland, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania and San Marino.

It is England's lowest ranking since 1995 (21st).

Source: PA