ZURICH, Switzerland - World Cup winner Spain stayed top of the FIFA rankings and the previous two champions, Brazil and Italy, rose in the top 10 on Wednesday.

World Cup beaten finalist the Netherlands remained No. 2, and Brazil climbed two places to No. 3.

Brazil overtook archrival Argentina after beating Scotland 2-0 in a friendly.

Germany, which lost a home friendly against Australia, fell one spot to No. 4. Argentina dropped to fifth after drawing friendlies against the United States and Costa Rica.

Italy ended a seven-month exile from the top 10. The 2006 World Cup winner rose two places to No. 9 following wins last month against Slovenia in a European Championships qualifier and a friendly in Ukraine.

Canada, fresh from a 1-0 win in Belarus, moved up nine places to No. 75.

Asian champion Japan rose two to No. 13, continuing a surge since the World Cup last June when it placed 45th.

Ghana was Africa's best, up one to No. 15 after beating Congo in an African Cup of Nations qualifier and drawing with No. 6 England.

The United States led CONCACAF teams at No. 22 despite falling for the second straight month. It followed the draw against Argentina by losing 1-0 against No. 23 Paraguay.

FIFA's newest member, Montenegro, rose to a best-ever No. 24 since getting football independence in 2007.

The round of Euro 2012 qualifiers saw Israel and Belgium each leap 25 places in the rankings.

Israel was No. 33 after home wins against Georgia and Latvia. Belgium beat Azerbaijan and Austria to go 37th.

Bosnia-Herzegovina rose 12 to No. 44 after beating Romania but has since been suspended by FIFA. The federation must rewrite its statutes before being allowed to travel to Romania for the return match in June.

Albania placed a best-ever No. 50 after a Euro 2012 win against Belarus.

Libya jumped 13 to its best of No. 58 after beating Comoros in an African Cup qualifier. The match was played in neutral Mali because Tripoli was too dangerous to host football.

New Zealand led Oceania teams at No. 60, down four places.

Future World Cup hosts Russia and Qatar dropped in status after drawing a friendly in Doha staged to celebrate their success.

Russia, which also drew a Euro 2012 qualifier in Armenia, fell five to No. 13, and No. 91 Qatar fell one place.

The rankings graded international teams over a four-year cycle of results, and took account of 124 matches played in the last five weeks.