FIFA ranks Armenia No. 30; friendly with Russia next

FIFA has released its latest world rankings, and Armenia’s upward rise continued as the National Team is now ranked No. 30 in the world.

With 771 points, they moved up eight spots from their previous record-breaking high of No. 38.

Armenia sits in between No. 29 Serbia and No. 31 Czech Republic.

Although 32 teams will be headed to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup, Armenia will not be one of them as they failed to qualify after a respectable run in 2013.

Armenia’s next hits the pitch March 5 against Russia, ranked No. 22 in the world, in a friendly game in Krasnodar. The game will be played at Kuban Stadium. The match kick-off is set at 15:00 CET (18:00 Yerevan time).

Armenia and Russia have previously met four times -- with Russia winning three times, and the fourth match being a draw. Armenia will also play Germany June 6 in friendly match before the Germans leave for the World Cup in Brazil.

Spain, Germany, Argentina, Portugal and Colombia round out FIFA's top five, respectively.

To view the rankings in their entirety, follow the link here: http://www.fifa.com/worldranking/rankingtable/