The Qantas Socceroos have moved into the top 20 of the latest FIFA world rankings, while Spain has replaced the Netherlands at the top.
The Qantas Socceroos have moved into the top 20 of the latest FIFA world rankings, while Spain has replaced the Netherlands at the top.
Australia are up three places to 19th - the first time there've been in the top 20 since September 2009 - on the back of some impressive results under coach Holger Osieck, who's been in charge for just over a year.
Current European and world champions Spain jumped ahead of the country they beat in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final, with Germany remaining in third.
Copa America winners Uruguay have vaulted to their highest ever ranking of fourth, while Portugal are fifth, ahead of Italy, Brazil and England, who tumbled four places to eighth.
Switzerland were the biggest mover in the top 20, up 12 places to 18th, while Bosnia-Herzegovina are also on the rise, climbing 17 spots to 22nd.
Hungary moved 18 places to 27th and Armenia climbed 27 spots to 44th.
Away from the top 50, Estonia were the biggest climber going from 86th to 58th, while Wales (now 90th) moved up 27 places and Togo (now 95th) leapt up 26 spots.
The latest edition of the FIFA rankings have taken in 170 international matches, with 109 of them being FIFA World Cup or continental qualifiers, with the other 61 being friendlies.
Top 10: 1. Spain 1605 points; 2. Netherlands 1571pts; 3. Germany 1290; 4. Uruguay 1184, 5. Portugal 1158; 6. Italy 1142; 7. Brazil 1132; 8. England 1089; 9. Croatia 1057; 10. Argentina 1024.