French drop back in FIFA rankings

France dropped back three places in the latest FIFA rankings published on Wednesday despite qualifying for Euro 2012, while Spain continue to top the list ahead of the Netherlands, Germany and Uruguay.

The French drew at home to Bosnia-Herzegovina to deny the latter an automatic place at the finals next summer but that could not prevent Laurent Blanc's side sliding back whereas Brazil moved up from seventh to fifth after recent friendly wins over Argentina, Costa Rica and Mexico.

Sweden rose to 14th spot from 25th after qualifying for the Euros while fellow qualifiers and neighbours Denmark are up seven places in the standings based on results over the last four years.

However, Portugal slip from fifth to eighth after missing out on automatic Euro 2012 qualification -- they will face Bosnia in a playoff.

Leading FIFA world rankings released on Wednesday (change in brackets):

1. Spain

2. Netherlands

3. Germany

4. Uruguay

5. Brazil (+2)

6. Italy

7. England (+1)

8. Greece (+3)

. Portugal (-3)

10. Argentina

. Denmark (+7)

12. Croatia (-3)

13. Russia

14. Sweden (+11)

15. France (-3)