Argentina climbed from third to first place partly as a result of their 1-0 win over France in February and partly because older results have expired and are no longer used for the points evaluation.

Apart from Argentina moving into first place, Italy slipped down to second and Brazil, leaders for four and a half years until January, slipped to third. There were no other changes in the top 10.

The biggest movers in the top 50 were Finland, the surprise leaders of Euro 2008 qualifying Group A, who have climbed 15 places to 33rd. Panama have climbed 20 places to 54th and are the biggest movers of the month.

Cameroon are the highest placed team from outside Europe or South America. The Africans are 18th on 893 points, ahead of 19th place Ghana and Ivory Coast, a further place back.

Iran are the highest ranked Asian team in 34th place (705 points), with Australia 40th (657) and Japan 42nd (639).

The Top 20 positions:

1. Argentina 1616 points

2. Italy 1592

3. Brazil 1557

4. France 1515

5. Germany 1390

6. England 1339

7. Netherlands 1313

8. Portugal 1288

9. Czech Rep 1195

10. Spain 1161

11. Ukraine 1037

12. Croatia 982

13. Greece 961

14. Romania 919

15. Sweden 914

16. Scotland 911

17. Switzerland 906

18. Cameroon 893

19. Ghana 881

20. Ivory Coast 875