South American football giant Brazil have been named the number one football nation according to the latest FIFA world rankings.
Brazil were ousted in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa by the Netherlands in the quarter final stage. Since then Brazil have not been ranked the top footballing nation until the recent release by FIFA.
Brazil have 58 points more than closest rival Argentina to lead the rankings. Brazil have showed spirited performances in the Copa America World cup qualifying campaign, winning all of their last ten games. They lead the pack now despite facing the threat of missing out months back. The most recent result was the 3-0 rout of Paraguay.
Current coach Tite replaced Dunga mid last year after a disastrous performance at the Copa America Centenario. Brazil had been suffering poor confidence after infamously exiting the 2014 World Cup, suffering a huge defeat in the hands of a disciplined German side. They lost to Paraguay in the 2015 edition of Copa America with a recap the next year being the tipping point. Since Tite came on board, Brazil have turned their fortunes around. They are the first team to qualify for Russia 2018 after eight straight wins in the qualifiers.
Argentina dropped to second place with points’ total of 1603. Germany were at a distant third with 1464 points. Chile, Colombia, France, Belgium, Portugal, Switzerland and Spain completed the top ten.
Northern Ireland moved up the most, rising to 26th from nine spots behind. Uruguay were the biggest ‘losers’ in new rankings as they dropped six spots to 15th.
After seven years of trouble, could Brazil be ready to re-establish their prominence in world football?