Northern Ireland drop three places in latest FIFA World Rankings

Northern Ireland slipped three places in the latest FIFA World Rankings following their Euro 2016 adventure.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Jul 2016, 17:52 BST
Updated 14th Jul 2016, 18:55 BST
Northern Ireland's Niall McGinn celebrates scoring against UkraineNorthern Ireland's Niall McGinn celebrates scoring against Ukraine
Northern Ireland's Niall McGinn celebrates scoring against Ukraine

Michael O’Neill’s side dropped to 28th spot despite a memorable first European Championship campaign where they qualified for the last 16.

Northern Ireland lost to Poland and Germany in the group stages, but secured a historic 2-0 win over Ukraine to reach the knockout stages.

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They were beaten 1-0 by Wales in the last 16, with Chris Coleman’s men progressing to the semi-finals.

That run saw Wales climb to 11th in the latest rankings, above England who drop down to 13th following an early exit at the hands of outsiders Iceland.

Coleman’s men recovered from losing to England in Lens as they went on to win Group B before beating Northern Ireland, Belgium - currently the second best team in the world behind Argentina – and then losing 2-0 against Portugal, the eventual champions.

Wales move up 15 places to 11th, an increase of some 291 ranking points, the highest of any nation.

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England, meanwhile, are down two spots, now also below Uruguay, after only winning one game at Euro 2016 and are currently looking for a new manager to replace Roy Hodgson.

The Republic of Ireland are up two places in 31st, having beaten Italy to secure a place in the last 16, where they were defeated by hosts France despite taking an early lead through a penalty from Robbie Brady.

Scotland, who failed to qualify for Euro 2016, are in 50th place, down seven, as they prepare for a 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign which sees them in the same group as England.

Portugal, who beat hosts France in the final, move up two places to sixth. Les Bleus climb 10 places to seventh, now above Spain, after returning to competitive internationals.

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Euro 2016 surprise package Iceland climb 12 places into 22nd spot – above the Netherlands, who have plummeted to 26th after failing to qualify for the finals.

Despite losing the Copa America Centenario final to Chile, Argentina remain top of the rankings with the leading five spots unchanged.

New Zealand were the month’s biggest climbers, moving up 54 places to 93rd after the All Whites’ triumph at the OFC Nations Cup.

Related topics:Northern IrelandEnglandPolandWalesIcelandPortugalGermany