Spain regains 1st place, US 14th in FIFA rankings

ZURICH -- Spain has regained first place from Brazil in FIFA rankings, while the United States dropped three places to 14th.

The European champions retake the top spot they lost to the South Americans in July after exhibition wins over fellow World Cup qualifier Argentina and Austria.

Brazil beat England 1-0 and Oman 2-0 this week but was overtaken because older ranking points lost value and its wins came against lower-ranked opposition.

The Netherlands and Italy stayed third and fourth, while the biggest mover in the top 10 was Portugal, which rose five places to fifth by twice beating Bosnia-Herzegovina 1-0 to qualify for next year's World Cup.

Portugal was one of several sides to benefit in the rankings from playing more World Cup qualifying matches.

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