MOSCOW, July 1 (RIA Novosti) - Russia has risen from ninth to sixth place in the latest FIFA rankings, published on the website of international football's governing body on Wednesday.
Guus Hiddink's team overtook England and Argentina to reach its highest position since August 1997.
Germany, Russia's rivals in their hunt for automatic qualification for the World Cup 2010, dropped two places to 5th.
European champions Spain were knocked off the top of the rankings by Confederation Cup winners Brazil.
Rankings (previous position)
1. Brazil (5)
2. Spain (1)
3. Netherlands (2)
4. Italy (4)
5. Germany (3)
6. Russia (9)
7. England (6)
8. Argentina (7)
9. France (10)
10. Croatia (8)
