THE Welsh football team has climbed to 22nd in the latest FIFA world rankings – their highest ever standing.

Chris Coleman's side are up 15 places thanks to their unbeaten start to their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.

Wales topped Group B after beating Israel 3-0 in March but are now second on goal difference behind Belgium, who they face at the Cardiff City Stadium on June 12.

Wales' previous best ranking was 27th, when Terry Yorath's side just failed to reach the 1994 World Cup, but in March 2011 they were as low as 116th.

“It's a fantastic achievement and if it's the highest ever then it shows we're doing something right,” said Newport’s Chris Gunter, who won his 58th cap in Israel.

“Chris Coleman said last week that we've lost one game in 18 months so we probably deserve to be there and we're on a good run.

“But as high as we are in the rankings, we want to make sure that come next October we're where we want to be.”

Scotland are up 10 places to 29th and England – the highest ranked of the home nations – are up three to 14th, with Northern Ireland up one to 42nd.

Wales' Euro 2016 qualification rivals Belgium are up to a best-ever third.

World champions Germany top the rankings ahead of World Cup runners-up Argentina with Colombia and Brazil making up the top five.