Brazil confirmed as top-ranked team for 2022 World Cup in Qatar

Belgium will be ranked second and Argentina third, while hosts Qatar enter the tournament at No 50

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  Brazil forward Richarlison celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the friendly football match against Tunisia at the Parc des Princes in Paris on September 27, 2022. AFP

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  Tunisia defender Montassar Talbi, second left, challenges Brazil forward Richarlison for a header. AFP

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  Tunisia's Ghaylen Chaaleli, right, duels for the ball with Brazil's Richarlison. AP Photo

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  Brazil forward Richarlison shoots at goal. AFP

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  Brazil forward Richarlison and Tunisia midfielder Ghailene Chaalali fight for the ball. AFP

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  The Brazilian football association condemned the racist abuse aimed at Richarlison, who also had objects including a banana hurled at him from the crowd following his goal celebration. AFP

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  Richarlison of Brazil scores their second goal. Getty Images

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  Raphinha of Brazil in action against Tunisia. The game at Parc des Princes was briefly halted as stadium officials asked fans to refrain from pointing lasers at Brazil players. Getty Images

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  Brazil's Raphinha, right, kicks the ball next to Tunisia's Mortadha Ben Ouanes. AP Photo

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  Brazil forward Raphinha celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal against Tunisia. AFP

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  Raphinha, right, of Brazil celebrates with teammate Lucas Paqueta. EPA

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  Brazil forward Neymar, centre, celebrates with his teammates Lucas Paqueta and Raphinha after scoring his team's third goal. AFP

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  Ghaylene Chaalali of Tunisia tackles Neymar of Brazil. Getty Images

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  Neymar of Brazil celebrates after scoring against Tunisia. Getty Images

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  Brazil's Neymar reacts as a laser is shone onto his face. Reuters

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  Brazil's forward Neymar celebrates scoring his team's third goal. Neymar is now only two behind Pele's national goals record of 77. AFP

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  Brazil forward Pedro celebrates scoring his team's fifth goal against Tunisia. AFP

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  Brazil forward Pedro celebrates. AFP

Brazil will head to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as the top-ranked team of the tournament after extending their lead over second-placed Belgium, the latest Fifa rankings released on Thursday show.

Brazil won their two warmup games in September — against Ghana and Tunisia — while Belgium lost to the Netherlands in one of their two Nations League games.

Argentina remain third and 2018 World Cup champions France are ranked fourth.

World Cup hosts Qatar will be the 50th-ranked team, just ahead of No 51 Saudi Arabia. Ghana will be the lowest ranked team in the tournament at No 61.

Group B at the World Cup is the strongest by rankings with all four teams in the top 20: fith-ranked England, No 16 United States, No 19 Wales and No 20 Iran.

Italy rose one place to sixth and are the highest-ranked team that failed to qualify for the World Cup, missing back-to-back editions having won the European Championship in between. Spain fell one place to seventh, with the Netherlands, Portugal and Denmark unchanged to complete the top 10.

Germany, the 2014 champions, are ranked 11th, just ahead of 2018 finalists Croatia.

Russia, meanwhile, rose two places to 33rd despite not playing a recognised game in 2022 because the national team has been suspended following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.