Soccer

Northern Ireland and Poland the big European movers in Fifa rankings

Michael O’Neill’s side up 28 places to 43rd after three wins on the bounce

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has seen his side jump 28 places in the Fifa world Rankings. Photograph: William Cherry / Presseye / Inpho
Thu Oct 23 2014 - 13:57

The Republic of Ireland have moved up one place in the Fifa world rankings to 61st after the 1-1 draw with Germany in Gelsenkirchen and the 2-1 win over Georgia in Tbilisi.

The 7-0 win over Gibraltar earlier this month, however, made no difference to Martin O’Neill’s side’s standing because the opposition is not yet recognised by Fifa.

The latest figures leave Ireland some way off their nearest neighbours, with Northern Ireland up 28 places to to 43rd, after three straight wins for Michael O'Neill's side in the Euro 2016 qualifiers, over Hungary, the Faroe Islands and Greece.

The Republic of Ireland’s group rivals Scotland and Poland are 37th and 44th, repsectively.

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Poland, in fact have jumped 26 places after their win over Germany, who remain first, despite the draw with Ireland and that defeat in Warsaw days beforehand.

Poland also beat unrecognised Gibraltar 7-0 last month, and drew 2-2 at home with Scotland after their 2-0 win over Germany.

Argentina and Colombia remain second and third.

The slow and steady decline of Spain continues. World champions in 2010 and European champions in 2008 and 2012, they have dropped to 10th from eighth following their defeat to Slovakia.

Switzerland, who were among the top seeds for the World Cup finals this summer, have dropped out of the top 10 after a poor start to their campaign.

Portugal, who surprisingly lost 1-0 at home to Albania in their opening European qualifier, have moved back into the top 10 for the first time since July and are in ninth place in the listings.

Switzerland, who lost to England and Slovenia in their opening two qualifiers, slipped from 10th to 12th in the rankings while Portugal rose two places from 11th.

Belgium have climbed to fourth place - their highest ever position.

Besides Belgium, three other teams have achieved their highest-ever ranking with Algeria moving up to 15th, Iceland up to 28th and Antigua and Barbuda up to 70th.

No Asian team is in the top 50 places with Iran the highest at 51st. The best movers were Togo, who moved up 73 places from 125th to 52nd.

Top 10 (last month): 1 (1) Germany 2 (2) Argentina 3 (3) Colombia 4 (5) Belgium 5 (4) Netherlands 6 (6) Brazil 7 (9) France 8 (7) Uruguay 9 (11) Portugal 10 (8) Spain.

Selected others: England 20 (18), Wales 34 (29), Scotland 37 (29), Northern Ireland 43 (71), Poland 44th (70th), Rep of Ireland 61 (62)