Mick McCarthy's Republic of Ireland have been rewarded for their recent excellent form by climbing one place to joint 17th with Denmark in the latest FIFA World Rankings. There was little change elsewhere in the standings with only ten internationals played during the month of December.
France finish 2001 in pole position having toppled Brazil who were relegated to third following an uncharacteristically inconsistent year which saw them almost miss out on an automatic place at next year's World Cup finals in Japan and Korea. Argentina are in second place, while Ireland's qualifying Group rivals Portugal are fourth.
England show no move from tenth, Scotland drop one place to 50th, Northern Ireland climb two places to 88th, while Wales hang on to 100th position in the rankings.
Top Ten: 1) France2) Argentina3) Brazil4) Portugal5) Columbia6) Italy7) Spain8) Netherlands9) Mexico10) England
Others:17) Republic of Ireland50) Scotland88) Northern Ireland100) Wales
Filed by Shane Murray
