Ireland down to 67th in world

The Republic of Ireland are now just three points above their worst-ever placing in world football, having slipped to 67 in the latest Fifa rankings.

In June of last year, Ireland hit an all-time low of 70, in stark contrast to the all-time high of sixth in the world which the team enjoyed under Jack Charlton back in December of 1992.

Having dropped two places in the latest monthly listing, Ireland now find themselves just one point above Burkino Faso and one below the United Arab Emirates.

With world champions Germany still at number 1, Ireland’s two other main rivals for Euro 2016 qualification — Scotland and Poland — are currently well ahead of Martin O’Neill’s team, in 38th and 40th place respectively. The two countries are also Ireland’s next opponents in the closely-fought Euro campaign, with crucial home games coming up at the Aviva Stadium against the Poles on March 29 and the Scots on June 13.

Meanwhile, Africa Cup of Nations winners the Ivory Coast have moved up eight places to 20th in the Fifa rankings.