Ireland move up two places in latest Fifa rankings

Ireland have moved up two places from 52nd to joint 50th in the latest Fifa world rankings.

This means Martin O’Neill’s side have moved up 10 places since the start of June, and are now level on ranking points with the Cape Verde Islands.

Ireland’s 2018 World Cup qualification rivals Wales’ rise has continued, with Chris Coleman’s side moving up to the dizzying heights of ninth, a new national record.

This means Wales are ranked higher than Spain, Holland and Italy.

Ireland’s other Russia 2018 qualifier opponents Austria have moved up a place to 14th, while Serbia have slipped 23 places to 63rd spot, meaning they are now ranked 13 places below Ireland.

Georgia and Moldova, who make up the rest of Group D, are now ranked 154th and 127th respectively.