Belgium moves to No. 1 in FIFA rankings for first time
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - OCTOBER 13: Eden Hazard of Belgium #10 celebrates his goal with Radja Nainggolan and Divock Origi of Belgium during the UEFA EURO 2016 qualifier match between Belgium and Israel at King Baudouin Stadium (Stade du Roi Baudouin) on October 13, 2015 in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
ZURICH --
Belgium has moved up to No. 1 in the FIFA rankings for the first time.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Despite only reaching the World Cup quarterfinals last year, Belgium rose two places after two wins in European Championship qualifying matches.
World Cup champion Germany is No. 2, just ahead of Argentina, which fell two places in a top 20 dominated by European and South American teams. Portugal is No. 4 and Copa America champion Chile if fifth.
Mexico is the top CONCACAF team at No. 23, while Algeria is Africa's best at No. 25 and Iran is Asia's top team at No. 43.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FIFA world rankings published Thursday (last month's rankings in parentheses):
1. Belgium (3)
2. Germany (2)
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}3. Argentina (1)
4. Portugal (4)
5. Chile (9)
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}6. Spain (6)
7. Colombia (5)
8. Brazil (7)
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}9. England (10)
10. Austria (11)
11. Switzerland (12)
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}12. Uruguay (20)
13. Italy (17)
14. Romania (13)
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}15. Wales (8)
16. Netherlands (14)
17. Czech Republic (15)
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}18. Turkey (37)
19. Croatia (16)
20. Bosnia-Herzegovina (30)