For Wales, it is the first time they have reached the top 10, and marks a remarkable improvement from the side who were outside the top 100 as recently as 2011.

Their 1-0 victory over Belgium, who dropped from second to third in the latest rankings, left them three points clear in their qualifying group with four games remaining.

Their ranking means that like England, who moved up to ninth in the world, they will be in the top seeds for Euro 2016, assuming they qualify for their first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup.

Elsewhere in the top 10, Argentina have toppled World Champions Germany as the top ranked side in the world, despite having jus lost the final of the Copa America to Chile, who moved just behind Wales in 11th.

Of the rest of the home nations, Scotland dropped one place to 29th, whilst Northern Ireland are up seven places to 37th. The Republic of Ireland have also moved up eight places to 52nd.