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Soccer: Spain heads FIFA rankings, Brazil rises to No. 3

FILE - In this June 11, 2013 file photo, Spain soccer team poses prior to the start an international friendly soccer match against Ireland at Yankee Stadium in New York. Foreground from left, Pedro, Andres Iniesta, David Silva, Davis Villa, Xavi Hernadez, Jordi Alba. Background from left, Alvaro Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos, Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique, Victor Valdes. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)

ZURICH (AP) — Defending World Cup champion Spain will travel to Brazil as the No. 1 team in the FIFA rankings, and the host nation will kick off as No. 3.

FILE – In this June 11, 2013 file photo, Spain soccer team poses prior to the start an international friendly soccer match against Ireland at Yankee Stadium in New York. Foreground from left, Pedro, Andres Iniesta, David Silva, Davis Villa, Xavi Hernadez, Jordi Alba. Background from left, Alvaro Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos, Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique, Victor Valdes. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)

Spain and Germany remain 1-2 in FIFA’s monthly standings, while Brazil leapfrogs No. 4 Portugal.

Argentina and Switzerland both climb two places to Nos. 5 and 6. Colombia drops three to No. 8.

Group D rivals Uruguay, Italy and England are also all in the top 10.

No. 11 Belgium is the lowest-ranked of the seeded World Cup teams.

The United States at No. 13 leads CONCACAF nations.

Algeria, at No. 22, is top-ranked in Africa and No. 43 Iran heads Asian confederation teams.

Australia, No. 62, is the lowest-ranked team at the World Cup.

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