Ireland have been announced in the top 20 of the world rankings. We are in 20th place now and are slowly but surely moving our way up..well done lads http://www.fifa.com/worldranking/rankingtable/index.html
That's some turn around from where they were when Trap took over and people continue to question his tactics and team selection.
Steady improvement in rankings over past 2 years, up from c.35th Can only stand to us for future draws if we can hold or improve position
England 5th Dear oh Dear. Not convinced with how fair a reflection these rankings are but good to see us heading past some of the dross that was previously ahead of us.
To be honest looking at the rankings there isn't a team below England that jumps out at you to be above England. They are done on a points system for friendly, qualifying and major tournament matches. You also get more points for beating a team with a higher ranking. It seems fair to me.
Facing team 1,8 and 9 in the Euros so we really have a battle on our hands. We are Irish and proud and love a good auld challenge and will love the underdog tag............ole ole ole!!!!!!
I really dont rate trap tactics and team selections at all, but i support them when he makes them and it seems we are moving in the right direction!
I remeber one time been ranked around 13th in the world.Think that was our highest position and it was some achievement for a little country like ourselves. We are slowly heading in the right direction which will only stand to us when draws are been done for future events.
i think 6th was our highest ever Edit: from fifa site Highest FIFA ranking 6 - December 1992. August 1993. Lowest FIFA Ranking 57 - November 1998.
6th in the world was brilliant.That was a top ireland team, bonner, whelan, mcgrath, lawrenson, aldridge, quinn, they all were household names. The current crop are punching above their weight when u consider the teams they play with compared to who the other lads played with.that time it was pool, man u, everton, arsenal only tony galvin played with spurs and they still were in the top flight. now our players are west brom, wolves, villa and stoke as well as teams in lower leagues. some differance. 19th is excellent considering.a good showing in the summer makes all the differance.makes it so much easier to qualify for following tournaments. Does anyone know were we ever a top seed in the qualifying competition for the world cup or euros?
Pretty sure we were top seeds for euro 2004 qualification, we had Russia and the swiss, lost our opening 2games mick mccarthy got the sack,the Roy keane issue was the real reason, that really set us back ! So ya we have been top seeds and blew it