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Diaspora: FIFA World football ranking for August (26.08.2001)
The latest World football ranking has shown no change at the top, with France still leading the way from Brazil, Argentina, Italy and Germany. places to reach their highest ranking since February 1997.
The first major change is at position 6, with Copa America winners Colombia jumping eight.
A number of Latin American countries have also sparkled in the last five weeks. Honduras (23rd, up 25) sensationally defeated Brazil on their way to 3rd place in the Copa America, and as a result, stand at their highest ever position in the ranking. Other movers include Uruguay (24th, up 6), and Peru (41st, up 12), having defeated Colombia in a qualifying game for the FIFA World Cupâ„¢.
Japan (27th, up 5) and Nigeria (34th, up 5) continue to make steady progress, with both teams more than 10 places higher than at the start of the year. Further down the pecking order, Congo DR (71st, up 10)
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and Korea DPR (139th, up 12) have also made significant strides in the ranking.
Peru`s appearance in the top 50 is at the expense of Australia (51st, down 5), who have not been able to continue their impressive form of June. Iran (46th, up 5) have replaced Jamaica (52nd, down 7) in the Top 50, which means that it now consists of 26 teams from UEFA, 8 from CONMEBOL (up 1), 7 from CAF, 5 from CONCACAF (down 1), 4 from AFC (up 1), and 0 from OFC (down 1).
The first African country, Tunisia was ranked 22nd,followed by South Africa 28th and Morocco 29th. While current African champion, Cameroon emerged 37th, behind Nigeria placed 34th.
The new ranking was compiled on the basis of the 80 international A-matches played in the last five weeks. This brings the total of matches contested thus far in 2001 to 730.
The next FIFA World Ranking will be published on September 19, 2001.
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