Rankings show Ireland had best international window in the world

Fifa rankings reward performance of Heimir Hallgrimsson's side

Troy Parrott of Republic of Ireland celebrates with the match ball in the dressing room after scoring a hat-trick in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F Qualifier match between Hungary and Republic of Ireland at Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Ireland had the best international window of any nation in world, according to the latest Fifa rankings, though that hasn't been enough to secure a jump out of Pot 3 in Thursday's World Cup playoff draw. 

Ireland now rank 59th in the world, up from 62, after accruing 34.86 ranking points, more than anyone else, in the qualifier wins over Portugal and Hungary.

The lowest-ranking Pot 2 side in Thursday's draw is Slovakia, now ranked 45th.

The draw, which takes place at noon, Irish time, in Zurich (Live RTÉ News) will assign Heimir Hallgrimsson's side an away date with the Slovaks, Poland (31), Wales (32) or Czechia (44). That playoff will take place on March 26, 2026.

Northern Ireland, in pot 4 of the play-offs thanks to their Nations League efforts, stay 69th. Scotland, who qualified with the dramatic win over Denmark, are up two places to 36th.

North Macedonia, Romania, and Sweden also earned playoff spots due to winning their Nations League groups, albeit with tough away draws against Pot 1 sides in store.

Spain remain top of the Fifa pile, with Argentina, France and England making up an unchanged top four.

Brazil climb to fifth, with Portugal dropping to sixth due to the defeat in Dublin.

 

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