THE REPUBLIC OF Ireland have fallen three places to 54th in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings, which were released today.
Martin O’Neill’s side now lie between South Korea and Guinea in the official rankings ahead of crucial Euro 2016 qualifying fixtures with Germany and Poland this month.
High-flying Northern Ireland are up six places to 35th after a win at Faroe Islands and a draw with Hungary in Belfast, results that leave them in prime position to qualify for next year’s tournament in France.
England are unmoved at 10th, with Chris Coleman’s Wales leapfrogging Chile into eighth position in the world.
As for Ireland’s upcoming Group D opponents, world champions Germany move up one place above Belgium to second, while Poland and Robert Lewandowski are down nine places to 43rd after their September loss to Germany and 8-1 drubbing of Gibraltar. Gordon Strachan’s Scotland are down nine places to 40th.
FIFA World Rankings – Top 10
1. Argentina
2. Germany
3. Belgium
4. Portugal
5. Colombia
6. Spain
7. Brazil
8. Wales
9. Chile
10. England
