The Republic of Ireland has dropped to 40^th in the latest FIFA world rankings. A friendly victory over Poland could not stop the slide of one spot, leaving Ireland. The drop of one place

Ireland now keep company with nations such as Hungary, Zambia and Panama. Giovanni Trapattoni’s side are ranked 22^nd in UEFA.

FIFA Rankings

               35           Serbia                  

               36           Zambia 

               37           Bolivia                 

               38           Paraguay

               39           Australia

               40           Republic of Ireland

               41           Panama

               41           Peru

               43           Venezuela          

               44           Tunisia 

               45           Turkey

Ireland’s situation is not as, relatively speaking, disastrous as that of Brazil. The five times World Cup winners sit in 18^th, lower than Switzerland and Ecuador. France sit just one place higher than Brazil, in 17^th.

Spain remain at the summit, with Germany, England, Argentina and Italy making up the rest of the top 5.

               1             Spain

               2             Germany

               3             Argentina

               4             England               

               5             Italy      

               6             Colombia

               7             Portugal              

               8             Netherlands

               9             Croatia

               10           Russia   

               11           Ecuador              

               12           Greece

               13           Côte d'Ivoire      

               14           Switzerland        

               15           Mexico 

               16           Uruguay                             

               17           France  

               18           Brazil    

              19          Belgium 

               20           Ghana