Scotland have leapt seven places in the latest FIFA world rankings to sit in 41st place.

The Scots moved up despite Craig Levein’s team losing 5-1 to the USA last weekend.

The national team didn’t gain any points during the month of May, due to the result in Jacksonville, Florida.

One of the reasons for the rise is that the result to drop outside the ranking calculation was the 3-1 defeat to the Czech Republic in May 2008.

That friendly, which was George Burley’s first defeat as Scotland boss and featured a double from former Rangers midfielder Libor Sionko, cost Scotland no points.

Spain remain top of the rankings heading into Euro 2012 followed by Uruguay, Germany, Netherlands and Brazil.

World Cup 2014 qualifying rivals Croatia remain in eighth spot while Belgium have dropped ten places to 54th.

The Belgians, who installed Marc Wilmots as their new permanent manager, lost 1-0 to England at Wembley on Saturday.

Related articles

• Scotland move up three places to 48th in FIFA world rankings
• Explained: How the FIFA world rankings are calculated

People who read this story also read

• Efrain Juarez leaves Celtic to join Club America in his homeland
• Craig Bryson views Scotland's American trip as ‘a wasted opportunity’
• Liverpool player uses controversial term in tweet to team-mate
• Football Talk: SPL vote, Celtic deny Eredivisie talks, Torres ends drought
• The 1972 European Championships: The dawning of a new era in Europe