Despite being outplayed by Italy in their Euro 2012 quarter final defeat, the Mirror claims that England are likely to move up two places from sixth to fourth in the rankings because they managed to win their group in Poland and Ukraine. If Spain and Germany contest the final in Kiev then the winner of that match will be crowned world number one, with Copa America winners Uruguay in third position.
Holland will drop drastically in the rankings because they lost all three of their group matches at the Euros while Brazil are struggling to pick up points as they have qualified automatically for the 2014 World Cup as hosts.
The rankings are judged on performances over the last four years, and despite disappointing showings at the World Cup and Euro 2012, England have only lost three of their last 28 games - the World Cup defeat to Germany in 2010 and friendly losses to France and the Dutch at Wembley.
If England do move up to fourth in the rankings it will equal their best ever position, which has been achieved twice - in December 1997 and September 2006.
