Australia dropped one place to 20th despite recording a 3-0 win over Oman in their World Cup qualifier and 5-0 win over Malaysia in a friendly since the last rankings were released.

The reason for this was because Sweden vaulted 11 places to 14th after they qualified for Euro 2012 on the back of victories over Finland and the Netherlands.

The highest position the Socceroos have held was 14th back in September 2009.

Australia will look to consolidate their position in the top 20 and secure their passage to the next round of World Cup qualifying when they take on Oman and Thailand in November.

Meanwhile, Spain have increased their lead over the Netherlands on top of the rankings while Sweden, Brazil and Demark were the big movers.

The rankings were largely shaped by the recent round of Euro 2012 qualifiers as well as South American qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Spain increased their lead at the top on the back of their 23rd consecutive home victory with the Netherlands remaining in second while pursuers, Germany (3rd) - aided by an unblemished record in Euro qualifying - Uruguay (4th) and Brazil (up two) round out the top five.

Both Greece (8th, up three) and Denmark (10th, up seven) moved back into the top 10 thanks to their Euro 2012 qualification while England moved up a spot into 7th, behind Italy.

Croatia, having failed to qualify for the Euros, were the only side to drop out of the top 10 (12th, down three) while Wales (45th) broke into the top 50 for the first time in eight years, moving up 45 spots.

In the AFC zone, Japan moved down two spots to 17th, despite remaining unbeaten since the 2010 World Cup.

In South America, Venezuela (40th, up seven) continue to progress thanks to their first ever win over Argentina with Ecuador (52nd) up 17 spots thanks to five consecutive victories.

Among countries to move into the top 100 are Iraq (91st, up 16), Guyana (97th, up 19), Guatemala (99th, up 10) and Cuba (100th, up 1).

Meanwhile, New Zealand following their maiden appearance at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, where they went undefeated, are down 16 spots to 105th.