A new low for Ireland in the latest list, as the top seeds for the World Cup are also confirmed.
Last month, Ireland plummeted 15 places from 44 to 59 in the monthly FIFA list. This month we drop again, but at least it is only one more place, to 60th, a new record low placing for us.
According to FIFA our average ranking has been 29th over the last 20 years, so a position of 60th is way below what we have been used to and it means whoever gets the Ireland job has a big task on their hands. That said, the only way is up too.
Currently we sit just behind Cameroon and Albania, and just ahead of Libya and South Africa. And a look at our near neighbours show that Scotland (35) and Wales (44) are now ahead of us after years of us leading them in the lists. Northern Ireland, after a torrid campaign, sit in 90th.
However, the real interest is at the top, as this month’s list sorts out the top seeds for the World Cup next year. England, by dint of being ranked 10th, miss out, meaning they will have to play one of Germany, Brazil, Spain, Argentina, Belgium, Switzerland, Colombia and one of Uruguay or Holland, depending on whether Luis Suarez’s team beat Jordan in a play-off to make the tournament.
Spain, as you might expect, remain top of the list, well clear of Germany and Argentina.
