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Wales can move into the FIFA world rankings top six by beating Portugal

LILLE, FRANCE - JULY 01:  Gareth Bale (C) and Wales players celebrate their team's 3-1 win after the UEFA EURO 2016 quarter final match between Wales and B
Image: Wales players celebrate their team's Euro 2016 quarter final win

Wales will move into the FIFA world rankings top six if they beat Portugal in their Euro 2016 semi-final on Wednesday.

The next set of rankings will be released in July 14 and Chris Coleman's team have the opportunity to move above Spain, Italy, Brazil and England with a win in Lyon.

Wales have beaten Slovakia, Russia, Northern Ireland and Belgium, and were beaten in the final seconds of stoppage-time by England in their only defeat in the competition.

England's Jamie Vardy scoring his side's first goal against Wales
Image: Jamie Vardy scores in England's only Euro 2016 victory - a 2-1 win over Wales

Even a defeat is likely to see Wales return above England for the first time since October 2015 when they reached their highest ever ranking of eighth.

England are likely to drop out of the top 10 following the disappointing showing in France, where they were held to draws by Russia and Slovakia either side of that win over Wales, and before the 2-1 defeat to Iceland.

Sam Vokes' header secured a 3-1 victory for Wales
Image: Sam Vokes scores with a header to secure a 3-1 victory for Wales over Belgium

Coleman is delighted with the progress his squad have made at Euro 2016, and he believes Wales will get stronger in the next few years.

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"When we won the group and the pathway is different, it changes," Coleman said.

"You gain confidence every time, get game-hardened the longer you're here, playing in the intensity and pressure, and you relish it."

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