U.S. up to No. 27 in FIFA rankings led by Germany; Belgium rises to No. 3

The United States moved up five places to No. 27 in the latest FIFA monthly rankings, which are still led by World Cup winner Germany. Belgium, which knocked the U.S. out of the 2014 World Cup in extra time, rose to its highest spot at No. 3. Argentina is second and Belgium traded places with No. 4 Colombia. Brazil, which beat France in a friendly last month, rose to No. 5 and swapped places with the Netherlands at No. 6. Costa Rica fell two spots to No. 15 but still leads CONCACAF nations. Mexico, coming off two wins, rose three to No. 18. Algeria is Africa’s best at No. 21, and No. 40 Iran is the best-ranked Asian team. Spain returned to the top 10, at No. 10. – AP