Paris, France: With only 12 A matches played since the final ranking of 2016, there are few big changes in the January edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking. The top 34 positions remain unchanged with Argentina, Brazil and Germany still holding first, second and third place respectively.

Argentina finished 2016 out in front of arch rivals Brazil to inherit the 'team of the year' title from Belgium, displaced from the FIFA summit by the Edgardo Bauza-coached Albiceleste in April.

Despite the overall stability of the January table, two new teams have broken into the Top 50. Saudi Arabia (48, up 6) and Nigeria (50, up 1) move up at the expense of Albania (51, down 2) and Burkina Faso (53, down 3).

With the biggest move by both points and rankings, Suriname (128, up 22) were January’s best performer. Despite their recent improvement, the CONCACAF team are still some distance from their best ever position (84), recorded back in 2008.

The small Southern African nation of Swaziland, meanwhile, reached its best ever position in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking (99, up 1). 

Leader — Argentina (unchanged)

Moves into top 10 — none

Moves out of top 10 — none

Matches played in total — 12 (3 of which took place in 2016)

Most matches played — Trinidad and Tobago (4 matches)

Biggest move by points — Suriname (plus 62 points)

Biggest move by ranks —Suriname (plus 22 ranks)

Biggest drop by points — Trinidad and Tobago (minus 30 points)

Biggest drop by ranks — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Mauritania, Trinidad and Tobago (minus 5 ranks each)

Newly ranked teams — none

Teams that are no longer ranked — none

Inactive teams, not ranked — none

FIFA top 10 rankings:

1. Argentina

2. Brazil

3. Germany

4. Chile

5. Belgium

6. Colombia

7. France

8. Portugal

9. Uruguay

10. Spain 

The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on February 9, 2017.