The Republic of Ireland have moved up three places in the Fifa world rankings

Ireland have moved up three places in the Fifa rankings.

The Republic of Ireland have moved up three places in the latest Fifa world rankings. Stephen Kenny's side were ranked in 50th place going into November's World Cup qualifiers against Portugal and Luxembourg. Ireland drew the first match 0-0 with Portugal and then recorded a 3-0 win away to Luxembourg last Sunday. As a result, the national team end the year ranked 47th in the world.

Ireland move up three places in the Fifa world rankings.

Ireland failed to qualify for next year's World Cup in Qatar but ended the campaign on a positive note. Kenny's team finished third in the group, behind Serbia, who topped the table, and Portugal, who finished second and go into a playoff for a place at the tournament. The Boys in Green have only lost one of their last 10 matches - away to Portugal in September thanks to two late Cristiano Ronaldo goals - and have turned a corner after a difficult first year in the job for Kenny. Ireland's highest ever Fifa ranking was sixth in 1993. At the time, the national team was regularly qualifying for tournaments under Jack Charlton. In recent years, Ireland's ranking has fluctuated. In 2014, they plummeted to their lowest ranking (70th) and they were placed as high as 23rd in 2017. Kenny's side will take part in the Uefa Nations League next year, while qualification for Euro 2024 in Germany gets underway in March 2023.

Fifa world rankings to end 2021.

In the final Fifa world rankings update of 2021, Belgium remain the number one team in international football. Roberto Martinez's side have topped the rankings since 2018, but have been unable so far to win a trophy. Brazil, the best team in South America, are in second place. France, who won the Nations League earlier this year, are in third place. Euro 2020 runner's up England are in fourth place, followed by Lionel Messi's Argentina in fourth and European champions Italy in fifth. Spain, Portugal, Denmark and the Netherlands make up the rest of the top 10. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland are ranked 54th in the world. Scotland are in 38th place and Wales are ranked 19th. You can view the full rankings here.

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