THE IRISH FOOTBALL TEAM have climbed up fives places in the world rankings to 36th, despite not making it to the World Cup. The new rankings out today put Spain at number one, up one place. England meanwhile have also moved up one place to seventh in the rankings, despite a dismal performance at the World Cup.
France have suffered one of the biggest drops, dropping 12 places to 21 after crashing out of the World Cup amid team rows and controversy reminiscent of Ireland in Saipan.
Ireland was 12th in February 2005 but peaked at number 6 in July 1993.