Ireland drop to 55th in world rankings

Ireland’s male team have dropped to 55th in the FIFA world rankings, marking their lowest position since 2014.

Defeats to Greece, France and the Netherlands have seen the Irish team drop down the rankings, and see themselves sandwiched between Finland and Saudi Arabia in the world rankings.

Ireland have not been this low in the rankings since they were ranked at 61st in the rankings in 2014, and is a sharp fall from their 26th place ranking in late 2018.

Northern Ireland are down to 74th following recent losses to Slovenia and Kazakhstan, while Irish Sea neighbours Scotland and Wales see themselves in 31st and 33rd.

Reigning World Cup champions Argentina remain top of the international pile, with France climbing to 2nd place and Brazil, England and Belgium rounding out the top 5.

Ireland started out in 34th in the world rankings when Kenny took charge, slipping to 42nd following failure to qualify for Euro 2020, and have since dropped out of the top 50.

Under-pressure manager Stephen Kenny will remain in charge of Ireland for the remaining Euro 2024 qualification fixtures, as well as a November friendly at home to New Zealand, with his fate to be decided at an FAI board meeting before Christmas.

There were indications that Ireland were preparing to part ways with Kenny after qualification for Euro 2024 became nothing but a remote possibility following the losses to the French and Dutch, but the FAI have allowed Kenny to see out the rest of the campaign from the dugout.