TEHRANTIMES - Iran moved up three spots to reach No. 39 in the latest FIFA rankings announced on Thursday.

Iran remains the best Asian football team, followed by South Korea (50), Japan (53rd) and Australia (59th).

Iran has been pooled in Group A in the final Asian qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, along with South Korea (No. 50), Uzbekistan (No. 66), China (No. 81), Qatar (No. 84) and Syria (No. 101).

Meanwhile, Argentina maintained its No. 1 position, followed by Belgium, Colombia, Germany and Chile.

The top movers were Slovakia and Madagascar. The Europeans climbed eight positions to take 24th place, while the island nation located off Africa’s southeast coast climbed 29 positions into 108.

The regional composition of the Top 50 this month is: UEFA (29), CONMEBOL (8), CAF (7), CONCACAF (4) AFC (2), OFC (0).

FIFA rankings are based on the average number of points that a team accumulates over a four-year period. The ranking points in each match are determined by its result, its value and the relative strength of the opponent and their confederation. The system also has a yearly basis depreciation for the value of the matches.

The next FIFA World Ranking will be published on 14 July 2016.