DOHA: Qatar has jumped to 86 in the FIFA world rankings, their highest-ever climb in recent years.
Ranked 100 at the end of last month’s FIFA rankings, Qatar have jumped an unprecedented 14 spots.
Qatar, now coached by Djamel Belmadi, have accumulated 361 points.
Just four days after winning the FIFA World Cup for the fourth time, Germany jumped to number one.
Germany deposed 2010 FIFA World Cup champions Spain from the top spot, according to the latest standings.
The United States who impressed with their pre-quarterfinal run, fell two places to 15th.
In the Asian rankings, Japan are number one followed by Iran. Uzbekistan are placed third while Korea are fourth and UAE are placed fifth.
Qatar, who are ranked number 11 in Asia, will play Morocco, the hosts of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, in a friendly match in September, an official source said on Thursday.
The match will take place in Casablanca on September 3 and then Morocco will meet Libya in Marrakech four days later.
The Africa Cup of Nations will be hosted next year from January 17 to February 8.
On October 14, Qatar will play a friendly against Australia in Doha.
The friendly is part of Australia’s preparation for the 2015 Asia Cup, which will be held in Australia.
The Aussies, who were knocked out of the first round of the World Cup 2014, will also face Belgium in a friendly on September 4. Despite a strong showing in the World Cup, Australia lost all three of its matches.
Qatar will then take part in the GCC Cup in Saudi Arabia in November.THE PENINSULA
