THE REPUBLIC OF Ireland are now the 23rd-best team in the world according to the latest Fifa rankings.
Martin O’Neill’s side, having made an unbeaten start to their World Cup 2018 qualifying campaign, have moved up 10 places in the latest order of merit.
The crucial 1-0 win over Austria in Vienna earlier this month has left the Boys in Green sitting just ahead of Turkey and one place behind the Netherlands.
It’s the highest Ireland have been in the rankings in over four years. Giovanni Trapattoni’s team went into Euro 2012 in 18th place.
Argentina stay at the top of the current rankings, with Brazil overtaking Germany into second place, followed by Chile and Belgium in fourth and fifth respectively.
Northern Ireland move up four places to 32nd, Scotland continue their slide by falling 10 spots to 67th, and England are down one place to 13th, just behind Wales in 12th.
Ireland will face the Welsh in Dublin next March. As for Ireland’s other Group D rivals, Austria are 31st, Serbia are 44th, Georgia are 119th and Moldova are 162nd.
Click here to view the rankings in full.
