Belgium have edged ahead of France to take outright top spot in FIFA's world rankings while tiny Gibraltar are the biggest risers via their first two competitive wins this month.
Belgium and France had been tied at the top last month and, while both sides won one game and drew another in October, the Belgians, with 1733 points, moved ahead by a single point on Thursday under the formula for calculating the rankings.
Belgium beat Switzerland in the Nations League and drew with the Netherlands in a friendly. World champions France defeated Germany in the Nations League and were held by Iceland in a friendly.
Brazil, one of only two non-European sides in the top 10 with Uruguay, remain third. Croatia are fourth followed by England, who move up one spot after a 3-2 Nations League win in Spain and a goalless draw in Croatia, swapping places with Uruguay.
Portugal are seventh ahead of Switzerland, Spain and Denmark.
New Zealand, who have not played a fixture since early June, remain in 119th place. The All Whites haven’t cracked the top 100 since 2013.
The Socceroos have moved up one position to number 42 in the world after their 4-0 away win over Kuwait on October 16 in a friendly in Graeme Arnold's return match as Australian coach.
Elsewhere, the Netherlands have moved up two places to 15th and are one behind 2014 world champions Germany, who have slipped two places.
The women's rankings are released later this month.
Reuters / Newshub.
