Argentina will remain No. 1 in the new FIFA World Ranking when it is released on Sept. 15, with Brazil one of the big climbers and Wales back in the top 10.
Argentina have finished as runners-up in the World Cup and two consecutive editions of the Copa America in successive years, putting them well ahead of Belgium -- who lost to Spain and beat Cyprus -- as their nearest challengers.
La Albiceleste will extend their lead from 184 points last month to 277 points after beating Uruguay 1-0 and drawing 2-2 in Venezuela in World Cup qualifiers.
Brazil will move up five places to join Colombia in joint fourth place, their highest ranking since they were third two years ago. Coach Tite won both qualifiers over the past week, winning 3-0 in Ecuador and edging Colombia 2-1.
Germany move above Colombia into third place, while Uruguay (ninth, up four) and Wales (10th, up one) re-enter the top 10 at the expense of Spain (11th, down two) and Italy (13th, down three).
Wales will stay above England, who climb one place into 12th. Northern Ireland drop two to 30th, Republic of Ireland climb stay in 31st and Scotland rise seven places to 44th. Netherlands rise two to 24th despite losing at home to Greece and drawing in Sweden.
Costa Rica's climb back up the ranking sees them back in the top 20, up three into 18th. But Mexico remain the top-ranked CONCACAF nation, though drop one place to 15th. United States rise four places to 22nd, the best position since February 2014.
Algeria are still the top African nation, dropping two to 34th, with Iran up two to 37th as Asia's leading team.
NEW FIFA RANKING TOP 20
1 Argentina
2 Belgium
3 Germany
4 Brazil
4 Colombia
6 Chile
7 Portugal
8 France
9 Uruguay
10 Wales
11 Spain
12 England
13 Italy
14 Croatia
15 Mexico
16 Switzerland
17 Poland
18 Costa Rica
19 Ecuador
20 Hungary