ZURICH -- Spain is ranked No. 1 in the year-end FIFA standings for the second straight year, while the United States is ranked 14th.
In rankings published Wednesday, the European champion maintained the lead it took last month from South American champion Brazil.
The Netherlands and world champion Italy stayed third and fourth as the top 10 remained unchanged.
Cameroon leads the African nations at No. 11, and the U.S. tops the CONCACAF region. Australia heads the Asian confederation at No. 21.
Algeria, which will play in the World Cup next year, improved to No. 26 -- its best spot since the rankings were launched in 1993.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
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World Cup final
In a game when a record number of yellow cards were given out and John Heitinga was sent off in extra-time, both sides missed great chances but Andres Iniesta netted in the 116th minute to give European champions Spain their first World Cup title. Holland, after 1974 and 1978, must contend with a third World Cup final defeat. Read
July 10, 2010
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Third Place play-off
Germany secured third place in the World Cup courtesy of an entertaining 3-2 win over Uruguay in Port Elizabeth. A Sami Khedira header settled a game that saw both Thomas Muller and Diego Forlan move onto five goals. Read
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