World champions France predictably shot to the top of the Fife rankings published on Thursday while previous leaders Germany slumped to 15th after their humiliating first-round exit in Russia. The rankings were the first to be issued since France beat Croatia 4-2 in the World Cup final on July 15 and also the first since Fife replaced its much-criticized previous formula. France was followed by Belgium, the team they beat 1-0 in the semi-finals, with Brazil dropping one place to third after their quarter-final exit against the Belgians. Surprise finalists Croatia leap from 20th to fourth. quarter-finalists Uruguay climbed nine places to fifth while England’s run to the semi-finals took hem up to sixth place from a previous twelfth. Argentina dropped to 11th after a chaotic campaign, which included a 3-0 group stage defeat by Croatia on the way to last 16 exit against France where they lost 4-3.

From online sources

Kajal-Team Sportsnasha