Iran stay as Asia’s best in latest FIFA ranking
AFC – KUALA LUMPUR, The Islamic Republic of Iran remains Asia’s top-ranked team, climbing seven places in the process to be 23rd globally in the latest FIFA World Ranking which was released on Thursday.
Australia leapfrogged the Korea Republic and Japan to be Asia’s second best-ranked team, having climbed three spots to 45th globally, while Japan – despite dropping one place to 46th – remains as the third best in Asia. The Korea Republic dropped eight spots to 51st globally and are the Continent’s fourth best-ranked team.
Palestine was again Asia’s biggest mover, climbing 22 places to 94th having risen eight positions to 116th last month.
Asia’s top 10 teams are currently competing in the third round of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018, with unbeaten Iran having confirmed their place as the first Asian nation to earn a place in Russia next year and Japan edging Saudi Arabia to sit atop Group B.
Asia’s Top 10 (global rankings in brackets):
Iran (23rd)
Australia (45th)
Japan (46th)
Korea Republic (51st)
Saudi Arabia (61st)
Uzbekistan (65th)
United Arab Emirates (75th)
China (77th)
Qatar (79nd)
Syria (82th)
The next FIFA World Ranking will be released on August 10.