Australia rose from 23 to 21 (level with Mexico) and are now hot on the heels of Japan who remained just above the Socceroos in 19th-equal spot.

Japan claimed the title of best team in Asia from Australia after winning the Asian Cup last January, but after their initial surge, the Socceroos have been closing in to reclaim their elite status.

Korea are the next nearest Asian challenger in 30th spot. In the OFC, New Zealand rose one position to 118th.

Elsewhere, there was no change at all in the top 11 places with Spain continuing to top the  rankings, as little international football over the past month saw few changes in the latest standings.

Vicente del Bosque's men have Netherlands, Germany, Uruguay and England chasing them in positions second to fifth, with no moves in the top five.

Brazil sit in sixth place while Portugal remain in seventh, while Croatia, Italy and Argentina make up the remainder of the top ten.

Chile's 3-2 win over Paraguay back in December has lifted them from 13th to 12th, leapfrogging Russia.

Ivory Coast have slipped two places from 16th to 18th, with Sweden and Switzerland moving up the ladder, and Bosnia-Herzegovina are at an all-time high of equal 19th with Japan.

The United States are in 33rd whilst Scotland and Wales are in 48th and 49th, respectively.

With the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations due to kick off on Saturday, the nations competing in Equitorial Guinea and Gabon can expect to see their rankings change next month.