The United States is the best in CONCACAF again, in more ways than one.
Following their Gold Cup victory last month, giving them the regional title, the latest FIFA rankings put the United States ahead of all of the other countries in the confederation, including Mexico. The US moved to 19th this month, up from 22nd last month. Meanwhile, Mexico remained in 20th place.
The summer has represented a reversal in fortune for the United States and Mexico. Despite Mexico's run of past Gold Cup titles and strong showings in youth tournaments, they have struggled through World Cup qualifying in recent months. In addition, they failed to meet expectations at the Confederations Cup in Brazil, and the decidedly lower-quality squad at the Gold Cup lost twice to Panama, including in the semifinal round.
In contrast, the US did not participate in the Confederations Cup, but they turned their early World Cup qualifier struggles around, cruising in the most recent matches, and were by far the best team at the Gold Cup, even with a weakened squad.
The US move above Mexico in the FIFA rankings for the first time since 2011. The regional powers are the only representatives in the FIFA rankings' Top 30. Panama, who finished runners-up in the recently completed Gold Cup, moved up 11 places to No. 40.
