6 Jul 2012

Brazil slump to record low in FIFA rankings

12:15 pm on 6 July 2012

Brazil has slumped to 11th in the FIFA men's football world rankings, the country's lowest-ever position, while tiny Tahiti surged 41 places after its astonishing win at the Oceania Nations Cup.

New Zealand climbs five places to 95th, despite losing in the semi-finals to New Caledonia at the World Cup qualifying stage in Solomon Islands.

Performances at Euro 2012 had an impact on places, with winners Spain staying top, semi-finalists Germany moving up a spot to second and runners-up Italy jumping from 12th to sixth.

Moving in the opposite direction, Netherlands slumped from fourth to eighth after their first-round exit.

Brazil dropped out of the top 10 for the first time since the rankings began in 1993 following defeats to Mexico and Argentina in friendlies in the last month.

Tahiti's shock win at the Oceania Nations Cup lifted them 41 places to 138th though they are still short of their record 111th ranking they achieved in 2002.

Australia climb one place to 23rd.