Brazil, U.S. move up in rankings

Brazil has surged to ninth in the FIFA rankings after winning the Confederations Cup. The United States has climbed six places to No. 22

Brazil, the five-time World Cup soccer winner and 2014 host, had fallen to all-time low of 22nd. Then came a five-match victory streak resulting in the title of the warmup tournament.

World and European champion Spain is No. 1 despite losing Sunday’s final. Italy, third at the Confederations Cup, climbs to No. 6.

The U.S. had a perfect record of four wins in June, including a 4-3 exhibition victory against No. 2 Germany.