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Wales’ bid for Euro 2016 glory has seen them smash their record high in the world rankings – and close down the gap on old enemy England for the title of best in Britain.

As revealed by WalesOnline last week, Chris Coleman’s unbeaten start to their European Championships qualifying has seen them surge up the official Fifa rankings,

And it’s now been confirmed their sensational 3-0 win in Israel last month pushed them into 22nd place – their highest ever standing in the global game since the national rankings began in 1993.

Wales’ previous best was 27, achieved by Terry Yorath’s star-studded side of 1993/94 including stars such as Neville Southall, Mark Hughes, Ian Rush and Ryan Giggs.

But Gareth Bale and co. have now surpassed that to become the 14th highest-place side in Europe, ahead of teams such as Russia, Sweden and Group B qualifying rivals Bosnia.

They are also ahead of former European champions Denmark and Greece.

Pictures: How a Wales/England composite team would look

How Gareth Bale and Wales are faring even better than Cristiano Ronaldo and Germany's World Cup winners

Furthermore, it has seen Wales close the gap on neighbours and rivals England with now just eight world places between the sides – the lowest it’s ever been.

Roy Hodgson’s men climbed three spots in the latest April rankings, released on Thursday, but Wales stormed up 15 spots and bettered the 15 places between the two teams back in 1993.

It is a sensational achievement for Wales given that as recently as August 2011, they had reached an all-time low of 117th in the world with an eye-watering 113 places between themselves and England.

At that time, Wales had dropped below minnows Faroe Islands in the world standings and had been placed in pot 6 for the 2014 World Cup qualifying draw alongside the likes of Kazakhstan, Andorra, Luxembourg and San Marino.

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Wales' qualifier with Belgium at Cardiff City Stadium is SOLD OUT

But while getting one over on the Three Lions will be something of a bonus for Wales, it is the place in France that matters most as the entire nation gears up for the massive June showdown with group favourites Belgium who themselves have climbed into a highest-ever position.

The Red Devils, who recorded wins over Cyprus and Israel in the last international round, have moved to third in the world behind World Cup winners Germany and beaten finalists Argentina.

Wales are one place ahead of African champions Ivory Coast as well as the likes of the USA and Serbia, the side that hammered Coleman’s side 6-1 in September 2012.

Wales have moved steadily up the rankings following the unconvincing results at the start of Coleman’s reign, the former defender taking over with the team 49th in the world, dropping to 82nd by the end of the first year.

But a run of one defeat in 10 outings since September 2013 has helped the team move up in the world as they push for France at the half-way stage of their Group B campaign.

In terms of the other Home Nations sides, Scotland are 29th, Northern Ireland 42nd and the Republic of Ireland 62nd.

The Euro 2016 picture facing Wales after Belgium hold on to win against Israel