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.