The Republic of Ireland have moved up two places in FIFA's world rankings, following their play-off victory over Iran. Mick McCarthy's men secured a 2-1 aggregate win over the Iranians, a result which pushes them up to 18th in the monthly list of football's top nations.
England have dropped one place to 10th, while Scotland are in 49th, Northern Ireland at 90th and Wales only scrape into the top 100. France's World Cup and Euro 2000 victories are enough to keep them in top spot, although Argentina are closing the gap. They leap-frog South American rivals Brazil, who slip to third after a disappointing campaign to qualify for the World Cup.
Belgium and Turkey are the big-climbers, being rewarded for their successes in the World Cup play-offs. Belgium are up thirteen places to 20, and the Turks up eleven places to 23rd. FIFA rankings have in the past, played some part in deciding the seedings for the World Cup finals.
FIFA Rankings:
1. France
2. Argentina
3. Brazil
4. Portugal
5. Colombia
6. Italy
7. Spain
8. Holland
9. Mexico
10. England
11. Germany
12. Yugoslavia
13. Czech Republic
14. Paraguay
15. Romania
16. Sweden
17. Denmark
18. Rep. Ireland
19. Croatia
20. Belgium
49. Scotland
90. N. Ireland
100. Wales
