US rise in latest Fifa rankings - 16 Mar 2006

The United States have risen into the top five of Fifa's world rankings for the first time since its inception.
The top three are unchanged from last month, meaning that Brazil stay well ahead at the top with the Czech Republic and Netherlands in second and third respectively.
France fall three places to eighth following their surprise defeat to Slovakia in last month's friendly, just one position above Sven Goran Eriksson's England who remain in ninth for the sixth month in a row.
Of the other home nations, Northern Ireland have climbed back into the top 100, however Scotland, Wales and Republic of Ireland are worse positioned than in February, the latter despite an excellent 3-0 win over Sweden.
Top 10 rankings (previous month in brackets):1 (1) - Brazil (835)2 (2) - Czech Republic (789)3 (3) - Netherlands (788)4 (4) - Argentina (765)5 (6) - United States (764)6 (6) - Spain (763)7 (6) - Mexico (762)8 (5) - France (760)9 (9) - England (756)10 (10) - Portugal (755)
Select Others:
29 (27) - Republic of Ireland (687)62 (61) - Scotland (567)76 (74) - Wales (544)98 (102) - Northern Ireland (472)