For the first time in more than two years, the U.S. men’s national team has broken into the Top 20 of FIFA’s WorldRankings, thanks to its Gold Cup win last month. The U.S. rose three places in the rankings to No. 19, displacing rival Mexico, which fell to No. 20. The Americans are now Concacaf’shighest-placed team for the first time since 2011.
Elsewhere, Ivory Coast, Africa’s highest-ranked team, fell five places to No. 18. With most European teams inactive in July, Spainretained its hold on first place, with Germany second and Colombia third. Confederations Cup winner Brazil remained at No. 9.