ZURICH (AP) — Zambia has soared in the FIFA rankings after winning the African Cup of Nations, and Germany climbed to second behind World Cup winner and European champion Spain.
The United States rose two spots to No. 31 after winning friendlies against Panama and Venezuela in the latest rankings released Wednesday. Mexico leads the CONCACAF nations, unchanged at No. 21.
Zambia rises 28 places to No. 43, becoming the continent’s fourth-ranked nation after starting the African Cup in 16th place.
Ivory Coast, which lost Sunday’s final in a penalty shootout, is the highest African nation at No. 15.
Germany moved up one, dropping the Netherlands to third. South American champion Uruguay is fourth, followed by manager-less England.
