Westfield Matildas rocket up FIFA rankings

The Westfield Matildas have surged from 9th up to 5th in the latest FIFA Women's Rankings released today.

After a superb Olympic qualification campaign in recent weeks which saw Australia remain unbeaten to qualify for the Games, the Aussies have seen their stocks soar. 

Beating fourth-placed Japan and sixth-placed DPR Korea in Osaka to qualify for the Games has been the reason for the surge. 

This will be a huge boost for coach Alen Stajcic, the team and the nation as preparations for the Games in Rio this August continue. 

The top nations in the latest rankings are USA in first, Germany in second and France in third.