World Cup champion Italy displaced Brazil from the top of FIFA's world rankings for the first time since 1993, while rest of the top eight teams maintained their position.

Brazil, who enjoyed 55-month stay at the pinnacle, hurtled down to second position following their 2-0 loss to eighth-placed Portugal in a friendly in London last week.

According to FIFA’s list released on Wednesday, Italy have 1562 points, while Brazil are on 1540.

Argentina are third, followed by France, Germany, England and the Netherlands.

The Czech Republic climbed one rung to be ninth, while Spain benefited from their solitary goal over England last week to make the top-10 for the first time since October.

The biggest improvement in the top-25 was that of Scotland, who rose six places to be ranked 20, alongwith Ghana (No 22) and Uruguay (No 24).

The United States rose to 28th – a three places improvement - following last week's 2-0 victory over Mexico.

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