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Ireland drew with Wales and lost to Iceland in March. Tommy Dickson/INPHO
Movers and Shakers

Ireland slip two places in latest Fifa rankings as Brazil return to top spot

Martin O’Neill’s side are down to 26th in the latest rankings released this morning.

IRELAND HAVE DROPPED two places in the latest Fifa rankings, with Brazil surging to the top of the standings for the first time in seven years.

Martin O’Neill’s side have slipped down to 26th position after last month’s goalless draw with Wales and the friendly defeat to Iceland at the Aviva Stadium.

It means the Boys in Green now sit alongside Northern Ireland with Michael O’Neill’s men moving up nine places after their recent World Cup qualifying win over Norway.

Brazil are once again sitting in top spot in the rankings, capping a terrific week after they became the first country to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, their latest step on the road to redemption after the embarrassment and heartache of their World Cup failure on home soil in 2014.

Brazil were dumped off top spot after their elimination from the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Their new surge is in contrast to Argentina and Neymar’s Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi, whose country are in danger of missing out on next year’s World Cup. They will not be able to call on their star man for three of their four remaining qualification matches because of suspension.

Third in the newly released rankings are world champions Germany, followed by Chile and Colombia.

Switzerland enter the top 10, up to ninth, with former number ones Spain clinging on in 10th. England remain in 14th while Ireland’s group rivals Wales are 13th.

Full rankings available here>

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