The Selecao have climbed seven places since the June arrival of coach Tite, who has led the five-time World Cup-winners to six consecutive victories
The Selecao overtook Germany last month to move up to second place behind local rivals Argentina following a complete transformation under new coach Tite.
Tite succeeded Dunga as coach of the five-time world champions in June, with the Selecao ranked ninth in the FIFA rankings following a stuttering start to World Cup qualifying and a disastrous Copa America campaign that saw them exit at the second round.
However, Brazil have marched to six consecutive victories on the road to Russai 2018 since the former Corinthians man’s arrival.
That run included a 3-0 victory over number-one ranked team Argentina, who won just four of their eight qualifiers in the calendar year and suffered defeat in the final of Copa America to Chile.
As a continent, South America continues to punch above its weight, with 80 per cent of CONMEBOL teams in the top 50 (eight, the same as in December 2015).
“The basic logic of these calculations is simple,” state FIFA. “Any team that does well in world football wins points which enable it to climb the world ranking.
“A team’s total number of points over a four-year period is determined by adding the average number of points gained from matches during the past 12 months and the average number of points gained from matches older than 12 months (depreciates yearly)."
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