Costa Rica, Mexico leapfrog USMNT in latest FIFA World Rankings as US fall to 18th

Keylor Navas, Costa Rica

Neither team has taken the field since the World Cup, but Costa Rica managed a small victory at the US national team's expense on Thursday, as Los Ticos leapfrogged the Yanks in the latest edition of the FIFA World Rankings.


Despite their inactivity, Costa Rica continue to enjoy a bump from their quarterfinal heroics in Brazil, with the Central Americans rising to No. 15 in the world, taking the spot previously occupied by the USMNT, who faded to 18th. It marks the highest-ever position in the global rankings for Keylor Navas (pictured above) and his fellow Ticos.



Unsurprisingly, newly-crowned World Cup champions Germany maintain the No. 1 spot, followed by their cup final opponents, Argentina. The Netherlands, Colombia and the USMNT's conquerors, Belgium, round out the top five, while Uruguay sit sixth and Spain and Brazil share the No. 7 ranking.


Mexico also rose past the US, moving up one spot to 17th. The next CONCACAF competitor is not found until No. 43 in the form of Honduras, while Panama (No. 63), Trinidad & Tobago (No. 80) and Jamaica (No. 85) remain in the top 100 spots.