Germany remain top of FIFA rankings to start 2018

World champions Germany continue to lead an unchanged top 10 in the first FIFA world rankings of 2018, issued Thursday by the football governing body.

Germany have 1,602 points to top the pile from Brazil on 1,483 and European champions Portugal on 1,358 from a month which featured only a handful of friendly matches.

Croatia received a boost to begin their World Cup preparations by moving from 17th to 15th, Iceland gained two spots to 20th and Tunisia, the top-ranked African team, moved up four to 23rd.

Mexico lead the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football nations in 17th, Iran are the best Asians in 34th and New Zealand tops Oceania in 120th.

The next FIFA rankings will be published on February 15.