The Socceroos had moved into 38th position recently but this month FIFA pegged them back to 43rd place.

They suffered at the hands of major jumps in the ranks of nations Moldova (up 14 to 37th), Nigeria (up seven), Honduras (up five) and Guinea (up seven) to leapfrog Australia.

Greece and Israel both achieved their highest-ever position in the rankings published on Wednesday.

Reigning European Champions Greece, who won 2-1 against Portugal in a friendly match on March 26, climb two places to replace the Portuguese in eighth. The Greeks are the only country to have made ground inside the top 10.

Israel beat Chile 1-0 last month, a result that sees them enter the top 20 for the first time in their history, up two places to 20th.

Gambia (83rd, up 19) and Montenegro (153rd, up 22) are also in their best-ever positions.

Argentina still top the rankings, followed by Brazil, Italy, Spain and Germany.

England stayed put in 10th place, Scotland dipped a spot to 15th, Guus Hiddink's Russia dropped five to 25th while Japan remained in 36th place.