What do Mali, Panama, Guinea, Peru and Togo all have in common?
That’s right, you’ve guessed it, they’re all ahead of the Republic of Ireland in the latest Fifa rankings.
Despite a heroic 4-1 victory over the US of A in our last outing, Martin O’Neill’s side have slipped three places to No 64 in the final rankings of the year.
Of course, the defeat in Glasgow to Scotland last month would have caused the damage to our ranking as well as our qualification hopes for Euro 2016.
O’Neill’s side are now the 33rd ranked side in Europe.
If the ranking are anything to go by our hopes of qualification for the tournament in France – which has been expanded to 24 teams, more than half the sides in Europe – do not look good.
One the plus side we’re still one place ahead of Gabon.
Northern Ireland have also fallen one place to No 48 while the Scots are at No 36.
World champions Germany are No 1 with Argentina and Colombia making up the top three. European champions Spain remain at No 9 while England are 13th.
Amazingly there has been no movement among any of the top 23 ranked sides.
