In the previous qualifying round in July, the five-time world champions had swapped positions with Uruguay, but have now returned to fifth place, again by swapping with the South Americans and separated by just four points.

The ranking continues to be topped by Belgium, but world champions France retook second place in exchange for Brazil and also separated by a small margin of six points. England stay in fourth place.

Colombia, coached by Carlos Queiroz, remains in the 'top-10' despite a drop from eighth to ninth place.

Other teams with Portuguese coaches have kept their positions, such as Korea Republic (37th), Paulo Bento, and Burkina Faso (61st), Paulo Duarte, while Bahrain, Hélio Sousa's, have moved up four positions to 105th.

Among the Portuguese-speaking countries, Cape Verde has the best position, in 76th place, followed by Mozambique, Angola and Guinea-Bissau, in 112th, 121st and 123rd places, respectively, while São Tomé and Príncipe is 190th, and Timor-Leste 199th.

- FIFA Ranking on 19 September:

1. (1) Belgium, 1,752.

2. (3) France, 1,725.

3. (2) Brazil, 1,719.

4. (4) England, 1,662.

5. (6) Portugal, 1,643.

6. (5) Uruguay, 1,639.

7. (9) Spain, 1,631.

8. (7) Croatia, 1,625.

9. (8) Colombia, 1,622

10.(10) Argentina, 1,614