Ireland receive shock FIFA ranking boost despite England hammering

Ireland have been handed a shock FIFA rankings boost despite the 5-0 thumping at the hands of England at Wembley.

The 1-0 win at home to Finland four days earlier was enough to shoot Heimir Hallgrímsson’s men up three places in the latest table.

They are now back to where they were this time last year when Stephen Kenny’s reign ended with the Boys in Green in 60th.

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Hallgrímsson’s side slumped to 63rd in last month’s rankings, but have now clawed back that ground - but they haven’t managed to hit their 2024 high-point of 58th (July).

Next March’s Nations League promotion/relegation play-off opponents Bulgaria have climbed two places to 82nd, while England remain fourth, behind first placed Argentina, France and Spain, despite their comfortable wins against Greece and Ireland.

Meanwhile, Finland’s defeat in Dublin has seen them fall three places to 69th.

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