Ireland soar up Fifa world rankings after Euro 2016 qualification heroics

Ireland were 67th in the world rankings when Martin O'Neill took over in 2013.

As of this morning, the boys in green are 31st. Martin O'Neill's side have rapidly climbed the Fifa rankings on the back of a late drive which saw them account for world champions Germany and 20th ranked Bosnia. Ireland's rise - 11 places - is the second best in the current list. Hungary have improved by 13 places and now sit 20th in the rankings. O'Neill's side, who will be at Euro 2016 next summer, no longer have to look over their shoulder and see the likes of Equatorial Guinea, Panama and Cape Verde. For now, we sit ahead of Poland, USA and Sweden. Just ahead of us lie Northern Ireland [30th] and Ukraine [29th]. England are still 9th while Wales drop two spots to 17th. Scotland are 52nd. Belgium remain top of the standings, ahead of Argentina, Spain, Germany and Chile, who won the Copa America earlier this year. While the rankings boost is a cause for celebration, it is some way off the country's high of 6th recorded back in 1993.