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Swiss jump to sixth in men's soccer ranking

NYON, Switzerland, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- Switzerland gains 45 points and climbs two spots to No. 6 in the FIFA men's world soccer rankings, a list that still has Spain at No. 1.

The Swiss move from eighth to sixth matches the second biggest in the FIFA Top 20 (Denmark is up five to reach 20th) and marks a month in which seven of the Top 10 change places.

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The top of the rankings, however, stays the same with Spain No. 1 and well ahead of second-ranked Germany while Argentina remains No. 3. Spain has been atop the FIFA rankings every monthly update except one since winning the 2010 World Cup. Spain first reached the No. 1 position in July 2008 and held it all but six months before winning the World Cup.

Portugal passes Colombia for the No. 4 spot and Switzerland's move up two forces Uruguay and Italy each down one place to seventh and eighth, respectively. Brazil edges ahead of the Netherlands for the No. 9 spot.

The FIFA world rankings are determined by points awarded from match results in a three-year period, with more recent games given greater weight. Teams get additional points for playing relatively strong opponents. The next ranking update is scheduled for March 13.

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The FIFA men's Top 10, listing country and rankings points

1. Spain, 1,506

2. Germany, 1,314

3. Argentina, 1,255

4. Portugal, 1,219

5. Colombia, 1,211

6. Switzerland, 1,159

7. Uruguay, 1,157

8. Italy, 1,135

9. Brazil, 1,125

10. Netherlands, 1,122

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