FIFA’s latest world rankings saw Fiji and Solomon Islands both move up a place as Italy displaced Brazil from top spot. Fiji – ranked 154 – move to 153 despite not playing any international friendlies in 2007. Solomon Islands are ranked 161.
The rest of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) member associations experienced mixed returns with New Zealand dropping two spots to 133. Samoa and Tonga are at 189 and 190 with Cook Islands ranked 198 and American Samoa ranked 199. Vanuatu dropped one place to 167 with Tahiti and New Caledonia unchanged at 173 and 175 respectively. Papua New Guinea also remain unchanged at 177.
Brazil’s reign as the number one nation lasted four years and eight months but came to an end after a 2-0 defeat against Portgual in a friendly international last week. Italy, Brazil, Argentina, France and Germany comprise the top five nations.
FIFA Coca-Cola/World Rankings – OFC member associations
133 New Zealand
153 Fiji
161 Solomon Islands
167 Vanuatu
173 Tahiti
175 New Caledonia
177 Papua New Guinea
189 Samoa
190 Tonga
198 Cook Islands
199 American Samoa