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Spain tops FIFA rankings throughout 2012, World Cup host Brazil sinks to No. 18

The Associated Press / Times Colonist
December 19, 2012

Real Madrid's Mesut Ozil from Germany, centre, in action with Espanyol's Victor Alvarez, left, during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

ZURICH - World Cup and European champion Spain has completed a full year atop the FIFA rankings, and Brazil has plummeted to No. 18.

The 2014 World Cup host has dropped while playing only non-competitive matches, and failed to win last month.

Brazil lost against Argentina, which remains at No. 3, and drew with Colombia, which rises to No. 5.

The rankings weigh a four-year results cycle, and Brazil dropped points from a 6-2 victory over Portugal in 2008.

Spain leads No. 2 Germany, with European Championship finalist Italy at No. 4. England is No. 6, and Europe fills all places through Switzerland at No. 12.

Ivory Coast is Africa's best at No. 14. Mexico is No. 15, and Japan leads Asia at No. 22.

Canada dropped four places to 64th overall, and seventh in the CONCACAF rankings for teams in North and Central America and the Caribbean.

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