The Republic of Ireland have dropped a spot in the latest FIFA World Ranking released today.
The managerless Ireland team are down to joint 24th place alongside Nigeria and Columbia who both improved in the latest rankings.
The FAI are still searching for a replacement for Brian Kerr who parted company with Ireland when his contract was not reniewed in the wake of his country's failure to qualify for the World Cup.
Elsewhere Scotland end 2005 on a high after moving up to 60th, while England remain in ninth position with Wales 71st and Northern Ireland 103rd.
World champions Brazil retain a commanding lead at the top, 44 points clear of the second placed Czech Republic.
Latest FIFA rankings:
1 Brazil 840pts
2 Czech Republic 796
3 Netherlands 791
4 Argentina 772
5 Mexico 768
= Spain 768
= France 768
8 USA 767
9 England 757
10 Portugal 754
Also:
24 Republic of Ireland 692
60 Scotland 572
71 Wales 549
103 Northern Ireland 461
