African champion Nigeria has risen 22 places in the latest FIFA rankings, which is led by World Cup champion Spain.
Nigeria moved up to No. 30 after its victory over Burkina Faso in the African Cup of Nations final. Burkina Faso rose 37 spots to No. 55.
Spain leads an unchanged top three ahead of Germany and Argentina. Fourth-place England climbed two places after beating 18th-ranked Brazil in a friendly last week. Italy dropped to No.5.
The top ranked African country is No. 12 Ivory Coast, which lost to Nigeria in the quarterfinals.
Mexico leads CONCACAF nations at No. 15, and the United States dropped four to No. 32 after losing a World Cup qualifier to 51st-ranked Honduras.
Japan leads Asian nations at No. 28, down seven places.
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Nigeria celebrates winning the African Cup of Nations for their third time.
Photo: Getty
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Performers take part in the closing ceremony ahead of the African Nations Cup.
Photo: REUTERS
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Performers take part in the closing ceremony ahead of the African Nations Cup
Photo: REUTERS
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A Burkina Faso soccer fan living in Ivory Coast walks with a flag.
Photo: REUTERS
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A Nigerian soccer fan reacts ahead of the African Nations Cup.
Photo: REUTERS
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South African soccer fans cheer ahead of the African Nations Cup
Photo: REUTERS
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Nigeria's Sunday Mbah kicks the ball during their African Nations Cup,
Photo: REUTERS
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Nigeria's coach Stephen Keshi reacts during their African Nations Cup.
Photo: REUTERS
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Burkina Faso's Saidou Panandetiguiri challenges Nigeria's Efe Ambrose (L)
Photo: REUTERS
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Nigeria's Sunday Mbah celebrates after scoring against Burkina Faso.
Photo: REUTERS
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Burkina Faso's Paul Koulibaly challenges Nigeria's Ikechukwu Uche (L) during the African Nations Cup (AFCON 2013) final.
Photo: REUTERS
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Burkina Faso's Florent Rouamba challenges Nigeria's Sunday Mbah (L) during their African Nations Cup.
Photo: REUTERS
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Nigeria's Sunday Mba (R) celebrates scoring against Burkina Faso during their African Nations Cup.
Photo: REUTERS
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Nigeria's players celebrate after scoring against Burkina Faso during their African Nations Cup (AFCON 2013) final soccer match in Johannesburg.
Photo: REUTERS
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Burkina Faso's Prejuce Nakoulma (R) attempts to shoot past Nigeria's keeper Vincent Enyeama
Photo: REUTERS
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Burkina Faso's goalkeeper Daouda Diakite attempts to gather the ball as Nigeria's Brown Ideye (R) shoots.
Photo: REUTERS
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Burkina Faso's Bakary Kone (L) challenges Nigeria's Brown Ideye during the African Nations Cup final.
Photo: REUTERS
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Burkina Faso's Prejuce Nakoulma fights for the ball with Nigeria's Efe Ambrose (L).
Photo: REUTERS
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Burkina Faso's Bakary Kone (2nd R) challenges Nigeria's Victor Moses (L) as teammates Mohamed Koffi (5) and Djakaridja Kone look.
Photo: REUTERS
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Burkina Faso's Djakaridja Kone challenges Nigeria's Sunday Mbah (L) during their African Nations Cup.
Photo: REUTERS
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Burkina Faso's Saidou Panandetiguiri challenges Nigeria's Ikechukwu Uche (L) during the African Nations Cup.
Photo: REUTERS
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Burkina Faso's Florent Rouamba challenges Nigeria's Sunday Mbah.
Photo: REUTERS
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Burkina Faso's Djakaridja Kone (R) challenges Nigeria's Sunday Mbah.
Photo: REUTERS
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Burkina Faso's Prejuce Nakoulma (R) challenges Nigeria's Kenneth Omeruo.
Photo: REUTERS
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Burkina Faso's Djakaridja Kone challenges Nigeria's Sunday Mbah (R).
Photo: REUTERS
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A Burkina Faso soccer fan living in Ivory Coast arrives to watch the broadcast of the African Nations Cup.
Photo: REUTERS
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Burkina Faso soccer fans living in Ivory Coast wait to watch the broadcast of the African Nations Cup.
Photo: REUTERS
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Burkina Faso's Jonathan Pitroipa (R) tackles Nigeria's
Photo: REUTERS
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A Nigerian soccer fan cheers ahead of the African Nations Cup final.
Photo: REUTERS
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Performers take part in the closing ceremony.
Photo: REUTERS
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Performer D'Banj entertains during the closing ceremony.
Photo: REUTERS
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Lots of color and music during the Closing Ceremony.
Photo: REUTERS
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Performers entertain during the closing ceremony.
Photo: REUTERS
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Spectacular dance and color in the closing ceremony ahead of the African Nations Cup.
Photo: REUTERS
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Performers take part in the closing ceremony ahead of the African Nations Cup.
Photo: REUTERS
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Music and dance were the main aspects of the Closing Ceremony.
Photo: REUTERS
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Performers take part in the closing ceremony ahead of the African Nations Cup.
Photo: REUTERS
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Nigerian soccer fans are pictured ahead of the African Nations Cup.
Photo: REUTERS
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A Nigerian soccer fan poses ahead of the African Nations Cup.
Photo: REUTERS
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A Burkina Faso soccer fan waits for the start of the African Nations Cup.
Photo: REUTERS
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A soccer fan waits for the start of the African Nations Cup (AFCON 2013) final soccer match between Burkina Faso and Nigeria.
Photo: REUTERS
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A Burkina Faso soccer fan blows a vuvuzela.
Photo: REUTERS
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A Burkina Faso soccer fan cheering for his country.
Photo: REUTERS
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A Nigerian soccer fan laughs.
Photo: REUTERS
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Nigerian soccer fans hold a replica trophy ahead of the African Nations Cup
Photo: REUTERS
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Nigeria's players celebrate after winning their African Nations Cup (AFCON 2013) final soccer match against Burkina Faso.
Photo: REUTERS
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Nigeria's John Obi Mikel celebrates after winning their African Nations Cup
Photo: REUTERS
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Nigeria's John Obi Mikel celebrates after winning their African Nations Cup.
Photo: REUTERS
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Nigeria's coach Stephen Keshi (L) celebrates after winning their African Nations Cup.
Photo: REUTERS
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Nigeria celebrates winning the African Cup of Nations for their third time.
Photo: Getty
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Nigeria celebrates winning the African Cup of Nations for their third time.
Photo: Getty
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Nigeria celebrates winning the African Cup of Nations for their third time.
Photo: Getty
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Nigeria celebrates winning the African Cup of Nations for their third time.
Photo: Getty
