Ireland drop two places in FIFA rankings

The Republic of Ireland have slipped two places in the FIFA World Rankings to 33 following the most recent round of international fixtures, while Argentina remain top of the pile.

Wins over Georgia and Moldova in World Cup Qualifying Group D in the past month weren’t enough to stop Ireland dropping two places behind The Ivory Coast and Senegal.

Wales, who reached the semi-finals of this year’s European Championships in France, have fallen one place to eleventh and just outside of the top ten, where they are replaced by Spain.

Amongst Ireland’s other rivals in the group to qualify for Russia 2018, Austria are just ahead of Martin O’Neill’s side in 30th, while Serbia are 43rd.

Ireland face into a tough run of matches, with Austria away, and Wales and Austria again, both at home, their next three fixtures.

Argentina remain top of the pile with Germany and Brazil moving up one spot each to take second and third respectively, nudging Belgium and Columbia down the pecking order.

England are unchanged in the standings in 12th. Northern Ireland have slipped behind the Boys in Green, tumbling six places to 36th.