Ireland have finished 2002 in 14th position in the FIFA World Rankings despite their two Euro 2004 qualifying defeats to Russia and Switzerland. The position shows a climb of three places on their 2001 position, thanks largely to their unbeaten four-match run during the World Cup.
World Cup winners Brazil top the list on 856 points after being defeated only once during 2002, with France in second despite their terrible showing in Japan and Korea.
Wales' resurgence has seen Mark Hughes' side and Senegal officially recognised as the most improved teams of 2002. The Welsh have leapt from 100th place at the start of the year to 52nd in the latest list published today. Their 48-place rise is the biggest by any country during 2002 but Senegal, the surprise package of the World Cup, have been judged the most improved side during their 38-place rise to 27th as it is regarded as more difficult to make progress in the higher reaches of the rankings.
Meanwhile, Holland have risen above England into sixth place after their away win in Germany.
FIFA Rankings:1 Brazil 856 points2 France 7873 Spain 7794 Germany 7615 Argentina 7516 Holland 7467 England 7348 Mexico 7329 Turkey 72910 USA 72314 Republic of Ireland 69752 Wales 55458 Scotland 528103 Northern Ireland 413
FIFA Best Mover 2002:1 Senegal2 Wales3 Brazil4 Cameroon5 Mali6 Turkey7 New Zealand8 Korea Republic9 USA10 Germany
(Positions in awarded by multiplying the total amount of points at the end of 2002 by the number of points gained during the course of this year).
Filed by Shane Murray
