Ukraine has climbed three spots in FIFA's traditional monthly ranking of national football teams, which has been published on the organization's official Web site.

Ukraine currently shares 44th and 45th place with Slovakia. Ukraine was in 47th position in the December ranking.

Current world and European champions Spain continue to top the table. Germany is second. It is followed by Argentina, Italy and Colombia.

Ukraine's opponent in the 2014 World Cup qualifying, England, is sixth. It is followed by Portugal, the Netherlands, Russia and Croatia.

Five-time world champions and 2014 World Cup hosts Brazil are only 18th.

The leaders of the "Ukrainian" 2014 World Cup qualifying group, Montenegro, remained 31st. Another Ukrainian opponent - Poland – dropped from 55th to 56th place.