FIFA World Rankings: USMNT climb five spots to reach No. 27, Mexico rise three to No. 18

Jozy Altidore crosses against Switzerland

The US national team rose five spots in this month's FIFA World Rankings, climbing to No. 27 and remaining third in CONCACAF behind No. 15 Costa Rica and No. 18 Mexico.


Ironically, the US leapfrogged No. 28 Denmark despite a 3-2 loss in Copenhagen; the US tie against Switzerland (up to No. 9), coupled with Denmark's loss to France and two positive Denmark results from 2011 no longer counting in the rankings, provided the leverage.


The US will face Mexico on April 15 in San Antonio. June opponent Germany remained No. 1 in the world, while the Netherlands — who the US will face on June 5 — dropped one spot to No. 6.



Canada, meanwhile, gained a modest two spots to reach No. 114, but the Canucks were passed by St. Kitts & Nevis, who rose 10 spots after their World Cup qualifying series win over the Turks and Caicos Islands. Canada will begin their World Cup qualifying campaign against No. 177 Dominica in a two-leg series on June 11 and 16.


The biggest movers in the rankings were Asian minnows Bhutan, who rose 46 spots to No. 163 after beating Sri Lanka in both legs of their World Cup qualifying series.