Belgium keeps top spot in final FIFA rankings of 2015

Photo credit: AFP.

Belgium will go into 2016 atop FIFA’s national team rankings ahead of World Cup finalists Argentina, European champions Spain and World champions Germany after winning eight of their nine games this year. The nation of just 11.2 million is doted with a multi-talented national squad headed up by Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard and Man City’s Kevin De Bruyne.

The 2014 World Cup quarterfinalists beat both Italy and France in friendlies in 2015, but their mouthwatering clash with Spain on Nov. 17 was called off.

Argentina climbed back up to second after beating Colombia and drawing with Brazil in World Cup qualifiers in November while Spain climbed to third with a clinical 2-0 friendly defeat of England at Wembley.

Way down in 25th place are France, host of Euro 2016 and British bookies joint favorites with Germany to win the tournament. The bookies make Belgium fifth favorite to win the summer event.

FIFA Rankings as of Dec. 3:

1. Belgium
2. Argentina (+1 place)
3. Spain (+3)
4. Germany (-2)
5. Chile
6. Brazil (+2)
7. Portugal (-3)
8. Colombia (-1)
9. England
10. Austria
11. Uruguay (-1)
12. Switzerland (+1)
13. Ecuador (+8)
14. Netherlands (+2)
15. Italy (-2)
16. Romania (-2)
17. Wales (-2)
18. Croatia (+1)
29. Cote d’Ivoire (+3)
20. Hungary (+13)
21. Turkey (-3)
22. Bosnia and Herzegovina (-2)
22. Mexico (+2)
24. Russia (-1)
25. France (-1)