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Germany move up to fourth in FIFA rankings

Chuck PenfoldJune 2, 2016

Germany have moved up to fourth place in the FIFA men's national team rankings as they prepare for Euro 2016. The team that beat them in Sunday's friendly, Slovakia, were the biggest upward mover among the Europeans.

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Image: Getty Images/AFP/F. Coffrini

Slovakia, who went into their 3-1 victory over Germany on Sunday ranked 32nd, moved up a total of eight places to 24th in the latest FIFA rankings.

The total of 45 recent international friendly matches were taken into account, along with four qualifying matches for the 2018 World Cup, according to a statement released by FIFA on Thursday.

Argentina remain in first place as they prepare for their first match at the Copa America against Chile next Tuesday. Belgium are the top-ranked European team, holding down second ahead of Colombia, who moved up one place into third.

Despite their defeats by Slovakia, Germany managed to climb one spot into fourth.

Northern Ireland, who will be Germany's opponent in the last game in Group C at the Euros, secured 25th position, their best-ever performance since the rankings were official introduced in 1993. Germany's first opponent at the Euros, Ukraine, moved up three places to 19th, while the other member of Group C, Poland, stood pat in a tie with Croatia at 27th.

Madagascar were the top mover in the latest rankings, climbing 29 positions to 108th spot.