The Heimir Hallgrimsson effect
The Republic of Ireland have moved up two places in the latest FIFA World Rankings.
The rankings, which place all of the nations in order based on their coefficients, were updated on Thursday and provided good news for the boys in green.
In the latest edition, Ireland moved up two places from 60th to 58th in the rankings.
This is most likely as a result of their recent win against Euro 2024 group stagers Hungary – who they beat in a friendly last month.
By moving up two places they’ve also leapfrogged Jamaica, the nation that Heimir Hallgrimsson was in charge of before being appointed Ireland manager this month.
Current rankings now have Hallgrimsson’s side sandwiched in between South Africa and Jamaica.
What does the rest of the rankings look like?
Argentina remain on top of the world following their Copa America success while Euro 2024 champions Spain have risen up five places into third, behind France and the aforementioned South American nation.
In terms of nations close to Ireland, England have gone up one place and now rank fourth. Scotland meanwhile have tumbled down the rankings by nine places to end up 48th.
Wales have fallen one place down to 30th as have Northern Ireland, who go from 73rd to 74th.
Who do Ireland face next?
Ireland return to action in September where they will begin life under Hallgrimsson, as well as the launch of their Nations League campaign.
His first test will be one of the toughest of them all as they host Euro 2024 finalists England at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on September 7.
Three days later they will take on Greece in Dublin before facing their third and final group opponent Finland away from home in October.
The return fixture against England is the final of the group stage period, which will be at Wembley Stadium in November.
Related links:
- Jamaican TV host loses it after Heimir Hallgrimsson’s Ireland appointment
- Damien Duff says he would ‘probably sack 90 per cent’ of people working at the FAI
- Gibraltar FA to make formal complaint after Rodri sings offensive chant during Euro 2024 celebrations
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