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Argentina Tops FIFA Men's Soccer Rankings for 2nd Straight Year

FILE - The trophy is displayed on the pitch ahead of the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
FILE - The trophy is displayed on the pitch ahead of the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
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Argentina Tops FIFA Men's Soccer Rankings for 2nd Straight Year

FILE - The trophy is displayed on the pitch ahead of the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)
FILE - The trophy is displayed on the pitch ahead of the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Dec. 18, 2022. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

Soccer world champion Argentina finished 2024 as the top-placed men's team in the FIFA rankings for a second straight year.
There were only limited changes in the rankings published Thursday with just 21 international matches taking place since the previous standings were released in November.
Argentina signed off the year in top spot ahead of France, with Spain, the European champion, completing the podium.
The rest of the top 10 was unchanged: In order, England, Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and Germany.
FIFA said that Angola, which played the most matches in 2024, registered the biggest progression over the last 12 months, going up 32 spots to reach 85th.
The next rankings will be published in April.

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Formula 1: Red Bull Names Lawson as Partner for Verstappen for 2025 Season

(FILES) LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 23: Liam Lawson of New Zealand looks on from the grid during the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 23, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images/AFP
(FILES) LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 23: Liam Lawson of New Zealand looks on from the grid during the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 23, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images/AFP
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Formula 1: Red Bull Names Lawson as Partner for Verstappen for 2025 Season

(FILES) LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 23: Liam Lawson of New Zealand looks on from the grid during the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 23, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images/AFP
(FILES) LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 23: Liam Lawson of New Zealand looks on from the grid during the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 23, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images/AFP

Liam Lawson will be the partner for world champion Max Verstappen at Red Bull for the 2025 season, the Formula 1 team said on Thursday.

Lawson, a New Zealander, replaces Sergio Perez, who was dropped on Wednesday after months of poor results.

Red Bull announced on Wednesday the termination of Perez's contract two years early, and said a replacement will be announced “in due course.”

Nicknamed “Checo,” Perez started the 2024 season with four podium finishes from the first five races, but he wasn't in the top three since. His last race finish higher than sixth was in May. Verstappen won nine races and his fourth consecutive title this year.

The last time there was such a gulf in results between an F1 champion and the team’s other driver in F1 was in 1994, when Verstappen’s father Jos was dropped before the end of the season as Michael Schumacher won the title with Benetton.

“Driving for Red Bull has been an unforgettable experience and I’ll always cherish the successes we achieved together,” Perez said in a team statement.

“We broke records, reached remarkable milestones, and I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many incredible people along the way," he added.

"A special thank you to the fans around the world, and especially to the Mexican fans for your unwavering support every day. We’ll meet again soon. And remember... Never give up."