Mexico climb rankings, Ireland down

Mexico have climbed to fifth in the FIFA world rankings in the wake of their Gold Cup triumph.

Despite it being a weakened event this year, with Brazil fielding just an under-23 team, Mexico have soared six places as a consequence of their victory and are among the top five for the first time since May 1998.

Their triumph in the Gold Cup came courtesy of a 1-0 win in the final over the Brazilians.

The top three positions remain unchanged in the FIFA rankings, with Brazil top, France second, and Spain third.

Ireland have moved down a place to 15th.

Brazil held off France’s challenge for top spot, despite Jacques Santini’s team winning the Confederations Cup at the end of June.

Holland moved up one position to fourth, while Argentina, Germany and England each slid two places to sixth, eighth and 10th respectively. The Czech Republic dropped out of the top 10, falling one place to 11th.

There was good news for Cameroon who climbed four places to 12th, their highest ever standing, while Uruguay nudged up five positions to 26th and Zimbabwe went up 11 places to 50th.

Zimbabwe are in the top 50 for the first time since April 1997.

FIFA world rankings (last month’s positions in brackets):

1 (1) – Brazil

2 (2) – France

3 (3) – Spain

4 (5) – Holland

5 (11) – Mexico

6 (4) – Argentina

7 (7) – Turkey

8 (6) – Germany

9 (9) – USA

10 (8) – England

Selected others:

Ireland 15th (14th)