England plummet to 20th in Fifa world rankings while Germany go top

England slip to lowest position in 18 years
Argentina and Holland complete new-look top three
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney scored his first ever World Cup goal in Brazil but could not stop England's early exit. Photograph: Michael Regan/The FA via Getty Images

England have slumped to their lowest Fifa ranking for 18 years following their disappointing World Cup campaign.

Germany top the world rankings, which take into account matches played during the World Cup as well as 46 friendlies, for the first time in approximately 20 years.

Argentina, the runners-up in Brazil, have risen to second and semi-finalists Holland have climbed from 15th to third.

England are among the biggest fallers after Roy Hodgson’s side were eliminated in the group stage following defeats to Italy and Uruguay, plummeting from 10th to 20th.

The last time England were ranked so low was in June 1996, when they were placed 24th before Euro 96. However, their position was artificially depressed because they did not have to qualify for the tournament.

Brazil are down four places to seventh after being thumped 7-1 in their semi-final by Germany and then beaten 3-0 by Holland.

Other underperforming sides also dropped down the table, with Portugal slipping from fourth to 11th and Italy falling five places to 14th.

All of the teams who went out the World Cup in the quarter-finals have climbed up the rankings: Colombia (fourth, up four places), Belgium (fifth, up six), France (10th, up seven) and Costa Rica (16th, up 12).

England’s performance may have repercussions for their next World Cup qualifying campaign. If they remain outside the top nine European nations they face being unseeded when the draw is made in St Petersburg next July.

Top 20 ranked teams

1 Germany, 2 Argentina, 3 Holland, 4 Colombia, 5 Belgium, 6 Uruguay, 7 Brazil, 8 Spain, 9 Switzerland, 10 France, 11 Portugal, 12 Chile, 13 Greece, 14 Italy, 15 USA, 16 Costa Rica, 17 Croatia, 18 Mexico, 19 Bosnia-Herzegovina, 20 England