Brazil rises to No. 2 in FIFA rankings, Argentina still 1st; USMNT drops to No. 28.

Brazil rose to No. 2 in the latest FIFA rankings released Thursday, while Argentina maintained their top spot.

South American teams are now in three of the top four spots, with Copa America champion Chile rising two spors to No. 4. World Cup champion Germany slipped one spot to third place.

Argentina maintains a lead in the rankings despite a shutout loss to Brazil in World Cup qualifying match on Nov. 10 and the fact the country has not won a major title in the four-year cycle that helps decide the rankings.

Belgium is No. 5, followed by Colombia, France, Portugal, Uruguay and Spain.

Ireland jumped ten places to No. 23 after winning three straight World Cup qualifiers.

Costa Rica and Mexico are CONCACAF's highest ranked teams at No. 17 and 18, respectively. The United States dropped four spots to 28th after losing to both Costa Rico and Mexico in World Cup qualifying.

Iran leads all Asian teams at No. 30 and Senegal is Africa's top-ranked team at No. 33.

- Scooby Axson