Belgium secured top spot in the next set of FIFA world rankings thanks to Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Israel.
Belgium’s final European Qualifier – in which Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne were on target – was of little meaning in terms of their own qualification but it was of great significance in terms of global ranking.
Recent defeats for Argentina and Germany meant Marc Wilmots’ side needed one more Group B victory to ensure they would top the world for the very first time – they also claimed a top-seeded berth for Euro 2016 alongside France, Spain, Germany, England and Portugal.
The points earned for Tuesday’s victory are enough to see Belgium leapfrog current world leaders Argentina, who have been in top spot since July, when the next set of rankings are published on November 5.
Belgium were ranked as low as 66th in the world only six years ago and their rise has come despite only qualifying for one major tournament since 2002 – last summer’s World Cup in Brazil when they lost to Argentina at the quarter-final stage.
Argentina are made to pay for their 2-0 home defeat by Ecuador last week, while world champions Germany’s hopes of being the next No 1 were dashed when they lost a European Qualifier 1-0 to the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.
