DESPITE RECENT WINS over Italy and Macedonia, Ireland have fallen two places in the FIFA World Rankings to 33rd place for July.
Giovanni Trapattoni’s men have suffered as a result of their lack of games this summer, as Peru and Paraguay have both surpassed them, owing to the sides’ impressive respective Copa America performances.
Copa America winners Uruguay are now in fifth place thanks to their success, while Spain remain in first place.
England have dropped two places to 6th, with very little overall change among the top sides.
The Netherlands and Germany remain in the 2nd and 3rd position, and Brazil have strangely moved up to 4th place despite their dire Copa America showing.
Northern Ireland and Scotland remain in 61st and 62nd place respectively, while Wales have risen two places to 112th.
The ranking system was changed following the 2006 World Cup, so that it would more accurately reflect the ability of international sides.
The rankings are now based on results from the past four years, rather than the past eight years, which they had previously been based on.
You can view the latest rankings here.
