Ireland reach highest ever position in FIFA rankings

The Republic of Ireland's fine form throughout the ongoing World Cup qualifiers has been reflected in the recent FIFA world rankings as Vera Pauw's side have reached their highest ever placing.

Ireland's comprehensive victory over Georgia in Tbilisi has seen the World Cup hopefuls move up one place to 26th, which elevates them into the top 16 of European teams.

The June ranking of 27th, up three places since March, equalled the national side's best ever milestone since the team last reached that place back in 2008.

Since Pauw took charge in 2019, the team has moved up six places overall and she feels that they can go even higher ahead of next month's vital clash with group rivals Finland.

"It is fantastic to see the Republic of Ireland women's national team rise up to their highest ever position in the FIFA women's world rankings because this is a reflection of the tremendous work that the players and staff have put in over the years," said Pauw.

"We have been growing together and improving with each game, so while this achievement is brilliant it is only one part of our journey that continues with two hugely important FIFA women's World Cup qualifiers at home to Finland and away to Slovakia in September."

Ireland will take on Finland on Thursday, 1 September at a sold out Tallaght Stadium before travelling to face Slovakia in Senec on Thursday, 6 September.

Elsewhere, Northern Ireland dropped three places to 50th following their Euro 2022 campaign, while newly crowned women's European champions England rose to fourth in the latest rankings, with four-times World Cup winners United States holding on to the top spot.

The rankings come after a busy month for women's football in which continental championships for Africa, North