PARIS (AFP) - World Cup hosts Brazil slumped to a new record low in the Fifa world rankings on Thursday as the five-time world champions dropped three places to 22nd.
Having spent most of the first 15 years of official Fifa world rankings at the top of the pile, Brazil's extraordinary fall began a year ago when the Selecao dropped six places from fifth to 11th in July.
Luis Felipe Scolari's team have been in freefall ever since and have now reached their worst ever position.
The top four remained unchanged with Spain ahead of Germany, Argentina and
Croatia.
The Netherlands jumped four places into fifth with England dropping two
places to ninth. France remain down in 18th.
Top 10 as of June 6:
1. Spain
2. Germany
3. Argentina
4. Croatia
5. Netherlands (+4 places)
6. Portugal (-1)
7. Colombia (-1)
8. Italy
9. England (-2)
10. Ecuador