The UAE have climbed back inside the top 70 in the world in the latest FIFA rankings, while World Cup champions Germany claim top spot for the first time in 20 years.
The Whites, who are considered among the favourites for January’s 2015 Asian Cup, went up seven places to 65th and have retained their position as the fifth ranked nation in Asia.
Although they didn’t participate in the World Cup in Brazil, the UAE’s 1-0 friendly victory over Georgia in June helped boost their ranking.
The UAE’s current ranking is a drastic improvement from two-and-a-half years ago when, in January 2012, they registered their lowest ever position of 130.
An unbeaten qualifying campaign for the Asian Cup, where they won five and drew once, helped the Whites climb the ladder, and success in Australia next year will further enhance their status on the world stage.
The UAE’s highest ranking was achieved in November 1998 when they reached 48th in the world.
Meanwhile, Germany’s World Cup triumph sees them climb one place to the top of the rankings, while Spain, who were ranked No1 for seven straight years, drop down to eighth.
Beaten World Cup finalists Argentina climb from fifth to second, the Netherlands, who came third in Brazil, have risen 12 places to third, Colombia are up four places to fourth, and Belgium – up six places – complete the top five.
FIFA WORLD RANKINGS TOP 20
1. Germany (+1)
2. Argentina (+3)
3. Netherlands (+12)
4. Colombia (+4)
5. Belgium (+6)
6. Uruguay (+1)
7. Brazil (-4)
8. Spain (-7)
9. Switzerland (-3)
10. France (+7)
11. Portugal (-7)
12. Chile (+2)
13. Greece (-1)
14. Italy (-5)
15. USA (-2)
16. Costa Rica (+12)
17. Croatia (+1)
18. Mexico (+2)
19. Bosnia and Hercegovina (+2)
20. England (-10)
67. United Arab Emirates (+7)
