Wales move to highest-ever FIFA world ranking by climbing to 10th

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Wales have climbed 12 places to enter the top 10 for first time in history
Chris Coleman's side have overtaken Spain, Uruguay and Chile
Wales are unbeaten in their last six matches and are top of Group B
England have leaped six places to ninth in latest world rankings

Published: 04:12 EST, 9 July 2015 | Updated: 14:43 EST, 9 July 2015

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Gareth Bale's goals have propelled Wales to their highest-ever FIFA world ranking of 10th – just one place behind England.

Chris Coleman's side benefitted hugely from beating Belgium in the Euro 2016 qualifier last month, leaping 12 spots as a result, and will now be among the top seeds for the World Cup 2018 qualifying draw.

Wales have risen monumentally since floundering at 117th in August 2011 to get drawn in the same bottom pot for Brazil 2014 as Andorra, San Marino, and Liechtenstein – even below the Faroe Islands.

Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale helped Wales defeat Belgium in June by scoring an early winner

Wales national team manager Chris Coleman has led his side to four wins in their last six games

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere scored a brace against Slovenia in England's last outing

LATEST FIFA RANKINGS

1. Argentina - Total points: 1,496

2. Germany - Total points: 1,411

3. Belgium - Total points: 1,244

4. Colombia - Total points: 1,217

5. Holland - Total points: 12,04

6. Brazil - Total points: 1,392

7. Portugal - Total points: 1,177

8. Romania - Total points: 1,166

9. England - Total points: 1,157

10. Wales - Total points: 1,155

But a run of eight competitive matches unbeaten, coupled with important victories over higher-placed sides, has seen Wales shoot up the global ladder. Bale has scored five times to send his country top of qualifying Group B for France next year and above the likes of Spain, Italy and Copa America winners Chile in the FIFA standings. No other nation has gained more points in the last calendar year than Wales.

'I'm extremely proud,' said manager Coleman. 'It's fantastic for the team's efforts to be recognised along with those who have played an important role off the pitch, from the backroom staff to our brilliant fans. We've come a long way in a short space of time. It's up to us how long we stay there.

'The real achievement for us is obviously qualifying for France. We've put ourselves in a great position and now have to make sure we fulfil our potential.

'That's the kind of pressure you want. I've had the pressure of being at the other end of a group. People know we are a good team.'

The new rankings mean neither England nor Wales will be in the same Russia 2018 qualifying group as Germany, Holland, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Romania or Croatia. There is a chance that either team could be drawn with Italy, who are only ranked 17th in the world. The draw takes place in St Petersburg on July 25 at 5pm.

ENGLAND AND WALES AMONG TOP SEEDS FOR 2018 WC QUALIFYING

England and Wales will both be among the top seeds for the 2018 World Cup qualifying competition after FIFA confirmed the procedure for the draw which takes place later this month.

Following FIFA's latest rankings, both sides will be kept apart from each other and from the other top-ranked European sides in the draw.

It also means neither England nor Wales will be in the same group as Germany, Holland, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Romania or Croatia. There is a chance however that either team could be drawn with Italy, who are only ranked 17th in the world currently.

The preliminary draw for the 2018 World Cup, which is being hosted by Russia, takes place in St Petersburg on July 25 at 1700 BST. FIFA has confirmed the 52 European countries will be split into seven groups of six teams and two groups of five teams.

England, along with other big names from Europe, will be in a group of six teams at the request of UEFA - probably in order to maximise television income. Hosts Russia will qualify automatically.

Argentina top FIFA rankings after goal heavy run to Copa final

Argentina are top of the rankings despite losing World Cup and Copa America finals during the past year

World Cup holders Germany have been overtaken by Argentina in the latest FIFA rankings

Chuck Blazer, the former FIFA executive committee member who turned whistleblower for the FBI, has been banned from football for life.

The ban was announced by FIFA's ethics committee for his 'many acts of misconduct' at FIFA and as general secretary of the CONCACAF confederation.

Blazer, an American, has pleaded guilty in the US court to charges of football-related corruption including accepting bribes to vote for South Africa to host the 2010 World Cup.