The Socceroos are set to reach their highest point in the FIFA men’s world rankings in more than a decade after their golden run at the World Cup in Qatar.
While the local football landscape has been rocked by the ugly violence at last weekend’s A-League Melbourne derby, the shine has not come off the national team.
After making the last 16 in Qatar, before being beaten by ultimate World Cup champions Argentina, coach Graham Arnold’s side will climb 11 places to 27th in the rankings, their best spot since being 25th in September 2012 under Holger Osieck.
The Socceroos won two matches in Qatar, beating Tunisia and Denmark before losing to Argentina in the first round of sudden death.
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Australia and Morocco will be this month’s biggest climbers in the rankings.
Rankings are often used for seeding purposes, including in World Cup qualifying as well as at the finals.
Arnold is set to be offered a fresh contract as informal negotiations continue with Football Australia. His previous deal expired after overseeing Australia’s World Cup campaign.
Australia will remain the fourth highest Asian nation behind Japan (20), Iran (24) and South Korea (25) but will be well clear of fifth-ranked Saudi Arabia (48).
Brazil is set to remain No.1 despite Argentina’s victory, which will lift them to second.
