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.



Bayern Star Harry Kane Poised to Return Against Leipzig in Bundesliga

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany reacts during a Bundesliga soccer match against FSV Mainz 05, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Mainz, Germany. (Thomas Frey/dpa via AP)
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany reacts during a Bundesliga soccer match against FSV Mainz 05, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Mainz, Germany. (Thomas Frey/dpa via AP)
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Bayern Star Harry Kane Poised to Return Against Leipzig in Bundesliga

Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany reacts during a Bundesliga soccer match against FSV Mainz 05, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Mainz, Germany. (Thomas Frey/dpa via AP)
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany reacts during a Bundesliga soccer match against FSV Mainz 05, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in Mainz, Germany. (Thomas Frey/dpa via AP)

Harry Kane could make a timely return for Bayern Munich against Leipzig in the Bundesliga on Friday.
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said Thursday that the striker was back training after returning from a hamstring injury sustained in the 1-1 draw at Borussia Dortmund on Nov. 30.
“I’m not going to say if he’ll start or not. The final training session is still important today. If everything goes well, he’ll definitely play a role tomorrow,” The Associated Press quoted Kompany as saying.

Alphonso Davies has also returned to training, and Serge Gnabry was working on his return from a knee injury.
Without Kane, Bayern was knocked out of the German Cup by defending champion Bayer Leverkusen, while it suffered its first Bundesliga defeat of the season last weekend to Mainz.
“We’ve already said that we can’t replace Harry one for one. Harry has this unbelievable feel for where he should be in the box,” Kompany said. “He has also helped us a lot defending. He’s one of the best in the world in the box – that’s where he makes the difference. There are not many players who can do that.”
Kane has 20 goals in 19 games for Bayern in all competitions.