Updated at 12.00
THE REPUBLIC OF Ireland have climbed 11 places to 31st in the latest Fifa/Coca-Cola World Rankings, which were released this morning.
Martin O’Neill’s side are the second biggest movers in this month’s list after recording victories over world champions Germany and Bosnia and Herzegovina en route to qualification for Euro 2016.
It’s the Boys in Green’s highest ranking since finding themselves in 22nd under Giovanni Trapattoni in 2011.
Northern Ireland currently sit one place ahead of the Republic, in 30th, after slipping down a position despite securing a place at their first major tournament since 1986.
England, meanwhile, are unmoved in ninth, Wales are in 17th and Scotland are in 52nd.
Although Ireland are a long way off the heights of the top ten berth achieved in 1994, their rise up the ladder under O’Neill is an illustration of the team’s reversal in fortunes.
When O’Neill and Roy Keane took over from Trapattoni in November 2013, Ireland were languishing in 67th.
At the summit, Belgium lead the way while Argentina, Spain, Germany and Chile make up the top five.
The full Fifa rankings can be found here.
