Wales have today risen 15 places to a record highest 22nd in the latest world rankings released by governing body FIFA.
Following an unbeaten start to their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, Chris Coleman’s men climbed from their previous position of 37th becoming the biggest movers in the process.
Wales Reach Highest World Ranking
After beating Israel 3-0 in March, Wales sit second in their group, only on goal difference to Belgium, who they face in Cardiff in June.
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey took to Twitter to express his delight upon hearing the news. Ramsey said ‘(I am) very proud to see @FAWales ranked at a record high of 22 today. There’s more to come from us!’
Real Madrid starlet Gareth Bale added to Ramsey’s praise describing it as an ‘unbelievable achievement.’
Wales will owe a lot to Bale should they qualify for the finals, who’s four goals and two assists in 5 qualifiers have inspired Coleman’s men to their lofty position in Group B. Following last month’s win in Israel last month, in which Bale scored twice, Coleman expressed faith in his side to become the best Welsh team since 1958.
“We’ve got the chance to prove we are the best Welsh team since the one that qualified for the 1958 World Cup in Sweden,” Coleman said. “We nearly did it in 1994 and 2004 and now we have the opportunity to go a step further.”
Wales’ previous best ranking was 27th, when Terry Yorath’s side narrowly missed out on qualifying for the 1994 World Cup, but in 2011 they were as low as 116th.
“It’s a fantastic achievement and if it’s the highest ever then it shows we’re doing something right,” said Wales full-back Chris Gunter. “Chris Coleman said last week that we’ve lost one game in 18 months so we probably deserve to be there and we’re on a good run. But as high as we are in the rankings, we want to make sure that come next October we’re where we want to be.”
Scotland are up ten places, England – the highest placed home nation – are up three to 14th and Northern Ireland rise one to 42nd in the latest table.
