U.S. jumps two spots in FIFA world rankings

The U.S. was the biggest mover among the top 30 teams in FIFA’s world rankings, jumping two spots to 30th in the monthly poll.

With most domestic leagues in full swing, February was a slow time for international soccer and that showed in the rankings, with 24 of the top 30 teams staying where they were last month.

That includes Mexico, which remained frozen at No. 22. Belgium, meanwhile, is ranked No. 1 in the world followed by Argentina, Spain, Germany and Chile. Colombia, who the U.S. meets in the opener of this summer’s Copa America, is No. 8

The U.S. owes its improvement to wins over Canada and Iceland in its only two friendlies of the year. The ranking is the highest for the U.S. since 2014.

The rankings:

1. Belgium

2. Argentina

3. Spain

4. Germany

5. Chile

6. Brazil

7. Portugal

8. Colombia

9. England

10. Austria

11. Uruguay

12. Switzerland

13. Ecuador

14. Italy

15. Netherlands

16. Romania

17. Wales

18. Croatia

19. Hungary

20. Turkey

21. Bosnia and Herzegovina

22. Mexico

23. Russia

24. France

25. Czech Republic

26. Slovakia

27. Ukraine

28. Northern Ireland

29. Republic of Ireland

30. U.S.