Soccer: All Whites move up rankings

The All Whites are ranked 56th in the latest world rankings. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand has edged up Fifa's soccer world rankings into 56th place in the latest figures released today (NZT).

After sneaking into the top 50 after last year's unbeaten campaign at the World Cup in South Africa, the All Whites last month slipped back into 64th place.

Their recent improvment is due in main to movement of other teams around them, with their last internationals a 1-1 draw with Honduras and a 0-2 loss to Paraguay in New Zealand in October last year.

The All Whites have friendlies scheduled against China, in Wuhan, and Japan, in Tokyo, later this month.

At the top of the table, Argentina leapfrogged Brazil into fourth place to become the highest placed team from South America.

Argentina moved up the rankings thanks to a 2-1 victory over Portugal on February 9 while Brazil slipped down after a 1-0 defeat by France on the same night.

World champions Spain stayed in first place and the only other change in the top 10 saw Croatia move up to eighth ahead of Portugal after a 4-2 home victory over Czech Republic.

Serbia edged into the top 20 while Jamaica have made the biggest leap into the top 50, climbing 11 places to 48.

- NZPA