Despite the Republic of Ireland climbing to 52nd in the latest FIFA world rankings, Martin’s O’Neill’s side are set to be fourth seeds in this month’s qualification draw for the 2018 World Cup.
Ireland haven’t been in the fourth pot for a World Cup qualifying draw since the 1990 World Cup, which they qualified for under Jack Charlton. They were also fourth seeds under Steven Staunton when failing to qualify for Euro 2008.
The draw takes place in St Petersburg on 25 July.
Elsewhere, Wales have entered the top 10 for the first time in their history - and are now just one place below England.
Chris Coleman's side climbed 12 places from 22nd to 10th after beating Belgium last month to move to the brink of qualification for the European Championships next summer.
Wales were ranked a lowly 117th in August 2011 but they have enjoyed a dramatic rise ever since and now stand above France, Italy and Spain as well as newly-crowned Copa America champions Chile.
The form of Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and company - Wales have lost only one of their last 11 matches - has seen the nation placed into the top pot of European seeds for the 2018 World Cup qualifying draw in St Petersburg on July 25.
England have jumped six places to ninth after their Euro 2016 qualifying victory in Slovenia last month but Scotland are down one to 29.
Northern Ireland are up seven places to 37.
Argentina's consolation for losing the Copa America final to Chile last weekend is regaining top spot from Germany, who drop to second, while Belgium slip to third after their defeat in Wales.
Colombia, Netherlands, Brazil, Portugal and Romania fill the top eight places.
