World champions Italy top the latest FIFA rankings after jumping two places following the recent Euro 2008 qualifiers.
A win over Ukraine and a draw with France sees Roberto Donadoni's side replace Brazil at the summit, with the South American side falling to third behind fellow Copa America finalists Argentina.
Germany move up one place to fourth, Holland are fifth, a rise of two places, while France's recent home defeat to Scotland drops them two places to sixth.
Iberian rivals Spain and Portugal are seventh and eighth respectively.
England were rewarded for positive results in the recent Euro 2008 qualifiers with a return to the top 10.
Wins over Israel and Russia saw England up to ninth, putting them back in the top 10 for the first time since June.
They also edge ahead of Group E rivals Croatia, who have dropped four places to 10th despite topping their qualifying table.
Scotland, meanwhile, were rewarded for their famous victory over France in Paris -- as well as a more regulation win against Lithuania -- with a nine-place surge to 14th.
Nigeria replace Cameroon as the top nation in Africa in 23rd place overall, while Mexico, 13th overall, lead the way in the CONCACAF zone. The United States dropped a spot to No. 18.
Japan are the top-ranked Asian nation (34th), and Fiji come out on top in the Oceania zone after climbing 51 places to 119th.
