World champion Spain stayed atop the FIFA rankings on Wednesday, and the United States dropped five places in the top 20 despite not playing a match.
Spain leads World Cup runner-up the Netherlands, with Brazil third and Germany fourth. The top 10 were unchanged after only two international matches involving lesser-ranked teams were played worldwide in the past month.
However, the U.S. fell to No. 18 because its four wins at the CONCACAF Gold Cup in July 2009 dropped in value.
FIFA has amended the complex formula - which ranks teams on results over four years - to give more value to matches played in three confederations.
South America now has equal weight with Europe, CONCACAF's status has increased, and Africa is above Asia and Oceania.
FIFA said the changes were made based on results at the last three World Cups, and they will take effect for the next cycle leading to the 2014 finals in Brazil.
Egypt is the top African team ranked at No. 9, even though the Africa Cup of Nations champion didn't qualify for this year's World Cup. Ghana, which reached the quarterfinals in South Africa, is No. 23.
The U.S. leads the CONCACAF teams, and Mexico dropped one place to No. 25.
Australia at No. 20 heads the Asian confederation over 32nd-ranked Japan.
Oceania is headed by No. 54 New Zealand, which was the only unbeaten team at the World Cup.
The September rankings will take account of more than 50 friendlies scheduled on Wednesday, and qualifiers for continental championships in Europe and Africa.
