Originally published July 1, 2009 at 11:27 AM | Page modified July 1, 2009 at 11:30 AM

Brazil moves to top of FIFA rankings; U.S. at No. 12

Brazil ended Spain's one-year reign as the world's top soccer team and the United States moved up two spots to No. 12, the highest ranking for the Americans in three years.

The Associated Press

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ZURICH — Brazil ended Spain's one-year reign as the world's top soccer team and the United States moved up two spots to No. 12, the highest ranking for the Americans in three years.

The FIFA rankings released Wednesday reflected last month's Confederations Cup, where Brazil rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat the United States 3-2 in Sunday's final. The United States hasn't been ranked this highly since it was fifth in June 2006, before its first-round elimination at the World Cup in Germany. The Americans, who hit their high of fourth in April 2006, dropped as low as 31st (November 2006-January 2007 and August 2008).

Brazil rose four spots to gain the top spot for the first time since it held it for two months in July-August 2007 after winning the Copa America. Brazil had been No. 1 for 55 months before it was overtaken by world champion Italy in February 2007.

Spain, upset by the U.S. 2-0 in the Confederations Cup semifinals last week, slipped to second. Spain had held the top spot since last July, a month after winning the European Championship for its first major title in 44 years.

Netherlands fell one spot to third, Italy stayed fourth and Germany slipped two places to fifth. Russia, England, Argentina, France and Croatia rounded out the top 10, and Greece was just ahead of the United States in 11th.

North Korea jumped 23 spots to No. 83 after it qualified for its first World Cup since 1966.

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