Ireland drop down FIFA rankings despite not playing a game in three months

The Republic of Ireland have dropped two places in the latest FIFA rankings.

Martin O'Neill's side haven't played a game since November, but they have dropped from 23rd to 25th in the world rankings. It's hardly a cause for a national emergency, as the Irish team are still riding high after being in doldrums just a few years ago. Egypt's impressive showing at the African Cup of Nations, where they lost in the final to Cameroon, has seen them rise 12 places, and take Ireland's position as the 23rd best ranked team in the world. The competition's winners have rose 29 places to 33rd. Northern Ireland have dropped three places to 35th, England are still 13th and Scotland are in 67th place, below Benin and Honduras. Wales, Ireland's opponents for a World Cup qualifier at the Aviva next month, remain in 12th place. When O'Neill became Ireland manager in November 2013, the country was in 59th place and would drop to 70th the following summer. However, impressive wins over Germany, Italy and Austria in recent years has seen Ireland shoot up the rankings. Ireland's highest ever ranking was 6th in 1993.