Palestine to outstrip Uzbekistan in the latest FIFA rankings

Uzbekistan dropped to the ninth place among Asian countries as the Palestine outstripped the Central Asians 34th in the latest FIFA rankings.

The Islamic Republic of Iran dropped two spots but are still Asia's top side, while fellow FIFA World Cup 2018 Russia qualifiers Australia are Asia's second best, moving up two spots to 36th.

Japan moved up one spot to 56th while Korea Republic (59th) and Saudi Arabia (65th) complete Asia's top five teams. All three are preparing for the FIFA World Cup 2018.

China PR (70th), Palestine (75th), Syria (76th), Uzbekistan (77th) and United Arab Emirates (78th) complete Asia's top 10 cast in the rankings.

This is Palestine's best ever FIFA World Ranking, as is the case with Chinese Taipei (134, up 1) and Lebanon (84, up 1). Kuwait were big movers, improving their ranking from 189 to 174.

Asia’s Top 10 (global rankings in brackets)

IR Iran (34th)

Australia (36th)

Japan (56th)

Korea Republic (59th)

Saudi Arabia (65th)

China PR (70th)

Palestine (75th)

Syria (76th)

Uzbekistan (77th)

United Arab Emirates (78th)

The next FIFA World Ranking will be released on February 15.