Soccer

Ireland remain 70th in Fifa rankings

Euro 2016 qualifying rivals Germany move up to first, Scotland remain 27th, Poland 61st

Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill and captain Robbie Keane have a bit of work to do if they are to return their side to more familiar territory in the Fifa world rankings. Photograph: Donall Farmer / Inpho
Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill and captain Robbie Keane have a bit of work to do if they are to return their side to more familiar territory in the Fifa world rankings. Photograph: Donall Farmer / Inpho
Thu Jul 17 2014 - 13:31

The Republic of Ireland remained 70th in the Fifa world rankings released today.

After draws against Costa Rica and Italy, and a heavy defeat to Portugal in June, Martin O’Neill’s side is treading water in the standings.

It is Ireland’s lowest ever ranking.

Germany's World Cup triumph has seen them rise to the top of the world rankings for the first time in 20 years, ahead of their opening Euro 2016 qualifiers against Scotland (27th), Poland (61st) and then Ireland.

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Ireland will open their Group D campaign in September against Georgia, who are 96th.

The 1-0 German victory in the World Cup final has taken them up one place to top spot, ahead of their opponents in the Brazil final, Argentina, who rise three to second.

The Netherlands move up a hefty 12 rungs on the ladder to third after their impressive third-place finish.

Spain have paid the penalty for not progressing from the group stages in Brazil by dropping from first to eighth place with Colombia, Belgium and Uruguay occupying the places above them.

Hosts Brazil, hammered 7-1 by Germany in the World Cup semi-final in the shock of the tournament, drop four places to seventh.

England have fallen 10 places to 20th in the list, their lowest position since May 1996, after a dismal World Cup when defeat in their opening two group matches gave them their worst performance in over 50 years.