U.S. and Mexico both slide one spot in FIFA rankings

The U.S. and Mexico both fell one spot in October’s FIFA world rankings, with Mexico dropping to 27th, two places ahead of the U.S.

The two nations square off Oct. 10 at the Rose Bowl in the CONCACAF Cup playoff, which will decide the region’s representative in the prestigious Confederations Cup in Russia in 2017.

Mexico played twice during the latest ratings period, rallying to tie Trinidad & Tobago, 3-3, then losing a 2-0 lead in the final five minutes in a 2-2 draw with top-ranked Argentina.

The U.S. split its two September matches, beating Peru, 2-1, before getting blitzed by Brazil, 4-1.

At the top of the table, Argentina remained No. 1 while World Cup champion Germany jumped over Belgium and back into the second spot.

Portugal, Colombia and Spain took the next three spaces, with 2010 world champion Spain rising five places to No. 6. Brazil, Wales, Chile and England round out the top 10.

For Wales, the No. 8 ranking is its best ever. The same goes for Austria at No. 11.

The top 30 (with change in ranking in parentheses):

1. Argentina (0)
2. Germany (+1)
3. Belgium (-1)
4. Portugal (+2)
5. Colombia (-1)
6. Spain (+5)
7. Brazil (-2)
8. Wales (+1)
9. Chile (-1)

10. England (0)
11. Austria (+2)
12. Switzerland (+5)
13. Romania (-6)
14. Netherlands (-2)
15. Czech Republic (+5)
16. Croatia (-2)
17. Italy (-1)
18. Slovakia (-3)
19. Algeria (0)
20. Uruguay (-2)

21. Ivory Coast (0)
22. France (+2)
23. Iceland (0)
24. Ukraine (+5)
25. Ghana (+2)
26. Russia (+6)
27. Mexico (-1)
28. Denmark (-6)
29. USA (-1)
30. Bosnia and Herzegovina (0)