Ireland In Rankings Climb

By Ade O`Connor
June 26 2003

The Republic of Ireland moves up one place in the FIFA World Rankings to 14th. The improvement follows a pair of victories against Albania and Georgia at Lansdowne Road. The Irish leapfrog Portugal, who drops down a place, whilst Brazil still heads the rankings.

England falls down to 8th, from a previous 7th position, while Scotland move into 59th (2 places behind DR Congo). Wales find themselves ahead of the Scottish in 51st place and Northern Ireland languishes back in 110th.

France, then the Spanish that knocked Ireland out of World Cup 2002, follows Brazil. Argentina and the Netherlands round off the top 5.

United States of America retain a strong 9th position in the rankings.


FIFA World Rankings:

1. Brazil
2. France
3. Spain
4. Argentina
5. Netherlands
6. Germany
7. Turkey
8. England
9. United States
10. Czech Republic
11. Italy
12. Mexico
13. Denmark
14. Republic of Ireland
15. Portugal
16. Cameroon
17. Belgium
18. Costa Rica
19. Sweden
20. Paraguay


What are your feelings on Ireland's place in the rankings? Do you even agree with the ranking system?

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