Japan will head to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 as the top-ranked Asian side.
The four-time AFC Asian Cup winner maintained its 17th spot in the latest FIFA World Ranking issued on Thursday.
Iran, chasing its first AFC Asian Cup title since the last of their three triumphs in 1976, is Asia's second-highest-ranked side at 21 with United Arab Emirates (64), Palestine (99) and Hong Kong (150) the ranking of the Group C challengers.
The next FIFA World Ranking will be issued on February 15, 2024.
SD/TSN