NYON, Switzerland, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Spain picked up its fourth consecutive team of the year honor by ending 2011 atop the FIFA men's soccer rankings, which were updated Wednesday.
Spain has been ranked No. 1 all but one month since winning the World Cup in 2010 and with 1,564 rankings points, is solidly ensconced as the world highest-ranked soccer team.
The only change in the Top 20 of the rankings this month saw Bosnia-Herzegovina improve three spots to No. 20. That is the highest ranking ever for Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The Netherlands maintained its precarious 20-point advantage over Germany for the No. 2 ranking. The Dutch have 1,365 points compared to 1,345 for No. 3-ranked Germany.
Uruguay sits in fourth with 1,309 followed by England at 1,173. Brazil (1,143) is sixth and Portugal (1,100) remains seventh. Croatia (1,091) is close behind in eighth with Italy (1,082) at No. 9 but only 18 points out of seventh. Argentina (1,067) sits in the No. 10 slot.
Wales ends the year at No. 48 but, after starting the year with a No. 112 ranking, was the biggest mover up over 2011.
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 FIFA men's rankings are to be released Jan. 18.
The final 2011 women's soccer rankings are scheduled for release Friday.
