Fashion
Ireland down one place in FIFA rankings below Burkina Faso but Northern Ireland on the rise
The Republic of Ireland have dropped one place in the FIFA world rankings on the back of an October window that saw them lose to Greece just after a badly-needed win away to Finland.
Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side have gone from 62nd to 63rd, replaced by Burkina Faso, leaving Ireland in 28th place in terms of European teams.
Ireland’s placing underlines the extent of the challenge ahead in qualification for the 2026 World Cup finals where only 16 teams from Europe can qualify.
But there is good news for Northern Ireland who move up two places, to 71st.
England remain in fourth place, behind Argentina, France and Spain. Wales (29th) are also unchanged and Scotland are up one place, to 51st.
An in-form Greece, who beat Ireland 2-0 in Athens, have jumped six places to 42nd.