Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Associated Press
ZURICH, Switzerland - The United States is not ranked among the top 30 in soccer rankings for the first time in more than seven years.
The U.S. team, ranked as high as fifth in May before a poor showing at the World Cup, fell two points to No. 31 in November's FIFA rankings Wednesday. The last time the U.S. was not in the top 30 was June of 1999, when it was also No. 31.
Brazil stayed No. 1, while Nigeria moved up to ninth and Russia jumped 10 places for its highest position in more than three years.
Brazil has 1,588 points, with World Cup champion Italy second with 1,560. Brazil has been ranked No. 1 since July of 2002.
Italy's 1-1 draw with Turkey in a Nov. 15 friendly in Turkey would have been enough to pull even with Brazil in ranking points. But the Brazilians increased their lead at the top by beating Switzerland 2-1 in a friendly the same night.
Argentina moved up to No. 3 with 1,551 points, swapping places with France (1,523).
England, Germany and the Netherlands remain at Nos. 5, 6 and 7, with Nigeria moving up two places from 11th and the Czech Republic falling two places to 10th.
Spain fell two places to 12th.
Russia is at No. 23 - its highest position since early 2003.