Brazil, the only team to have competed in every World Cup finals, will go into next month's tournament in Qatar seeking a record-extending sixth crown.
They will do so with a bigger lead at the top of the rankings after friendly wins over Ghana and Tunisia widened the gap on second-placed Belgium who lost to the Netherlands in the Nations League.
Brazil's great rivals Argentina remained third, with world champions France fourth and Euro 2020 runners-up England fifth.
There was good news for Italy, who failed to qualify for the World Cup finals again, as they climbed above Spain into sixth place.
Other World Cup-bound teams climbing the rankings were Croatia, up three places to 12th, Iran up two spots to 20th and Serbia who rose to 21st.