England rise in rankings

Though FIFA's statistics rated England's performance in South Africa as their worst-ever display at a World Cup, Italy's even greater disaster and Portugal's lacklustre tournament saw both sides plummet below Fabio Capello's side.

Italy dropped to 11th in the list, hit by the loss of their points from winning the last World Cup, while Portugal slip to eighth following their mediocre displays and the loss of their points from their run to the semi-finals in Germany four years ago. Only Uruguay overtook England.

Newly-crowned world champions Spain move to the top of rankings ahead of second-placed Netherlands, while pre-tournament number ones Brazil slip down to third.

Germany and Argentina both climbed two spots to fourth and fifth place respectively, while Uruguay's outstanding tournament sees them climb 10 places to sixth.

Paraguay also climbed the table, picking up 15 places after their solid showing - but France have now slipped to 21st after their abysmal displays.

Not that the French should be too worried: the only other time they have slipped out of the world's top 20 was in April 1998 - just a few weeks before they won the World Cup for the first time in their nation's history.

1 (2) Spain

2 (4)  Netherlands

3 (1) Brazil

4 (6) Germany

5 (7) Argentina

6 (16) Uruguay

7 (8)  England

8 (3) Portugal

9 (12) Egypt

10 (18) Chile

11 (5) Italy

12 (13)  Greece

13 (14) USA

13 (15) Serbia

15 (10) Croatia

16 (31) Paraguay

17 (11) Russia

18 (24) Switzerland

19 (25) Slovenia

20 (20) Australia

21 (9)  France

22 (22) Norway

23 (32) Ghana

24 (17) Mexico

25 (23) Ukraine

26 (27) Côte d'Ivoire

27 (34) Slovakia

28 (29) Turkey

29 (36) Denmark

30 (21) Nigeria

31 (33) Czech Republic

32 (45) Japan

33 (30) Algeria

34 (42) Gabon

35 (37) Sweden

36 (41) Republic of Ireland

37 (26) Israel

38 (53) Peru

39 (35) Colombia

40 (19) Cameroon

41 (43) Scotland

42 (28) Romania

43 (39) Bulgaria

44 (47) Korea Republic

45 (48) Burkina Faso

46 (38) Honduras

47 (49) Venezuela

48 (59)  Belgium

49 (40) Costa Rica

50 (46) Latvia