Wales move above England in Fifa rankings for the first time in history

Real Madrid's Gareth Bale has played a crucial role in Wales' rise up the rankings

WALES are now officially better at football than England, according to the latest set of Fifa's world rankings.

 

Chris Coleman's side now sit in ninth place, their highest ever position since the Fifa rankings were introduced in 1992, one slot ahead of Roy Hodgson's England. 

This is the first time that they have ever appeared above England in the list, meaning they are now the highest-ranked home nation.

Coleman appeared unfazed by the rankings shift, saying on Wednesday: "The rankings won't get us to France. I wish it would but they won't."

 

Chris Coleman is on the verge of taking Wales to their first major tournament since 1958

Wales currently top their Euro 2016 qualifying group and can take another step towards France next summer if they beat Cyprus in Nicosia tonight.

If they do qualify for the competition, it would be Wales's first apperance at an international tournament since the 1958 World Cup.

Argentina, Belgium and Germany remain in the top three of the list, with the only climber in the top 10 being the Copa América winners Chile, who swap places with England and move to eighth from 10th.

Scotland have moved up to 31st, Northern Ireland drop to 41st and the Republic of Ireland fall down a place to 51st.

 

Top 10 from Fifa rankings list:

1 Argentina (1442 points)

2 Belgium (1269)

3 Germany (1248)

4 Colombia (1224)

5 Brazil (1209)

6 Portugal (1186)

7 Romania (1176)

8 Chile (1149)

9 Wales (1146)

10 England (1143)