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Belgium tops FIFA rankings for the first time

November 5, 2015

Belgium has moved up to No. 1 in the FIFA rankings of footballing nations for the first time in its history. Germany remained in second spot in November's list.

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Fußball Euro 2016 Qualifikation Belgien - Andorra
Image: Getty Images/D. Ramos

The rankings released by soccer's world governing body FIFA on Thursday placed the Belgians top of the list, displacing Argentina, who had held the No. 1 spot last month. "Les diables rouges," as they are known by their fans, jumped two spots with 1,440 points based on their two wins against Andora and Israel in European qualifying.

Germany, who lost 1-0 to Ireland in Dublin and beat Georgia 2-1 in Leipzig, collected 1,388 points remained second in the rankings.

Argentina dropped to third place, while Portugal remain in fourth place.

Among the top 10, Copa America champions Chile made the biggest jump - from ninth to fifth.

Austria, meanwhile, climbed one spot to enter the top 10 for the first time.

Big movers also included Bosnia-Herzegovina, which moved up 10 places to enter the top 20, and Turkey, which climbed to 19 from 37.

FIFA's top 10 for November

1. Belgium

2. Germany

3. Argentina

4. Portugal

5. Chile

6. Spain

7. Colombia

8. Brazil

9. England

10. Austria

pfd/ (dpa, SID,AP)