Last month, the team, managed by Dutch trainer Guus Hiddink, fell two places from 10th to 12th. However, a 2-1 home victory over Wales on September 10 in a World Cup qualifier helped them rise three places.
Russia face Germany in Dortmund on Saturday in their next World Cup qualifier. The Germans, beaten finalists at this summer's Euro 2008, remain third in the FIFA rankings. On October 15, Russia entertain Finland, who occupy 43rd place in the rankings, in Moscow.
Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko is expected to be out for three weeks with a partially torn knee ligament and will miss the upcoming qualifiers. The side has already lost Dynamo Moscow defender Denis Kolodin and Spartak Moscow midfielder Dmitry Torbinskiy to injury. Zenit striker Pavel Pogrebnyak, who missed his club's 8-1 win over Luch Energiya at the weekend, is expected to be fit for the games.
FIFA TOP 10
1. Spain
2. Italy
3. Germany
4. Brazil
5. Holland
6. Croatia
7. Argentina
8. Czech Republic
9. Russia
10. Portugal
