Qatar rocket up world rankings

Paris – Qatar have climbed a huge 38 places in the latest Fifa world rankings released on Thursday, reaching their highest position in more than quarter of a century on the back of their victorious Asian Cup campaign.

The Gulf state, which will host the World Cup in 2022, is now ranked 55th – just ahead of Cameroon and Egypt – after beating Japan 3-1 in last week’s final in the United Arab Emirates. It is their highest ranking since 1993.

Meanwhile, Japan’s run in the same competition has seen it shoot up to 27th, a rise of 23 positions.

Belgium remain first in an unchanged top 10, just in front of world champions France.

Bafana Bafana, however, slipped two spots, to 74th. – AFP