The Socceroos are the second-highest ranked team from the Asian confederation after jumping seven places in the FIFA world rankings to claim 43rd spot.

The Socceroos briefly flittered inside the top 50 throughout 2017, but have spent as many months so far above the 50 mark.

Their latest improvement will mean little if Australia cannot overcome Honduras (69th in the world) in a two-legged intercontinental play-off in November to qualify for the World Cup in Russia.

The Socceroos sit above World Cup-qualified Asian rivals Japan (44th), South Korea (62nd) and Saudi Arabia (63rd). Iran is the highest ranked nation in the Asian confederation at world number 34.

Germany has held onto its number one ranking, slightly ahead of Brazil, while European champion Portugal is third.

The world’s top six has remained unchanged since the last rankings update, with France and Spain improving to move to seventh and eighth respectively, while Peru moved two places to break into an historic spot in the top 10.

England moved up three spots to sit 12th in the world, just ahead of Colombia and Wales, while Italy moved up two places to sit in 15th.

Despite failing to reach the World Cup, the Netherlands jumped nine spots to complete the top 20, with Iceland — the smallest nation to ever reach the World Cup finals – is 21st in the world.

The United States, dumped from FIFA World Cup qualifying by 83-rd ranked Trinidad and Tobago, is 27th in the world.

The improvement in the Australian standings comes just days after reports that coach Ange Postecoglou will quit his role following next month’s play-off against Honduras.

Even if the Socceroos beat Honduras and qualify for Russia 2018, Postecoglou is not likely to be guiding his country in Russia next year.

FIFA’s top 5:

1.   Germany

2.  Brazil

3.  Portugal

4. Argentina

5. Belgium

Asian top 5:

1. Iran (34)

2.Australia (43)

3. Japan (44)

4. South Korea (62)

5. Saudi Arabia (63)