They have not played a senior international since October but continue to climb as other countries lose points accrued over previous seasons.

Their rise comes about due to the complicated FIFA points system, with Scotland having nudged ahead of Switzerland, Cameroon, Mexico and Denmark.

Points gained over the course of a year are included in full, however results from any preceding 12 months count only for 50%, with that figure decreasing to 30% for a third year and then 20% for a fourth year.

Former national team boss Walter Smith instigated Scotland's rapid climb, with the team having been positioned 88th two years ago and 62nd a year ago.

New head coach Alex McLeish was today selecting his squad for group leaders Scotland's next Euro 2008 qualifiers against Georgia and world champions Italy.

FIFA introduced world rankings in 1993 and Scotland matched their previous highest ranking of 20th place last month.

England are unchanged in sixth in the latest list, with Northern Ireland overtaking the Republic of Ireland by climbing two places to 47th. The Republic slipped five places to 51st.

Wales fell two places to 77th, while Argentina took over at the top of the rankings from world champions Italy, who fell to second, with Brazil third, France fourth and Germany fifth.