A total of 73 countries and territories now feature in the rankings, which weigh a country's national team performance in WBSC-sanctioned international competitions over a four-year period.

Within this, there are a record-setting 69 countries in the women's rankings, including Chile and Belize for the first time, and 49 countries in the men's rankings, including debutants Lesotho.

Nothing has changed in the top-six spots of the women's rankings, with the US followed by Japan in second, Canada in third, Puerto Rico in fourth, Mexico in fifth and Chinese Taipei in sixth.

Four of the five Olympic continents - the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania - have at least one representative in the top 10, which is completed by China, Australia, The Netherlands and Italy.

Canada earned the most points with 1,478, while Belgium was the top climber, from 47th to a best position of 38th.

New Zealand have been knocked off the top of the men's rankings for the first time, with Japan taking over.

World champions Argentina earned 1,620 points, the most in 2019, to claim second spot, its best position in world rankings history.

Third place is occupied by New Zealand, while Canada are fourth, Australia fifth, the US sixth, Czech Republic seventh, Mexico eighth, Venezuela ninth and South Africa have climbed two positions to 10th.

It is the first time ever that South Africa has made the top 10, which has at least one representative from each of the five Olympic continents.

Cuba and Peru are the top climbers, rising 11 places to 13th and 36th, respectively.