Ireland drop outside FIFA top 30

The Republic of Ireland have dropped two places to 31^st in the latest FIFA world rankings.

Martin O’Neill’s men defeated Switzerland and drew with Slovakia in their recent friendly international encounters at the Aviva Stadium.

However, those results against sides ranked ahead of them failed to effect an increase in ranking points, with the Boys in Green dropping from 29^th to 31^st over the last month.

Both Poland and Costa Rica have shot up the rankings by four and eight places respectively, meaning that Ireland drop out of the world’s top 30.

Ireland’s Euro 2016 Group E opponents Belgium, Italy and Sweden also disappointed in the latest standings, as each of them were also relegated down the rankings table.

Belgium lost their place at the summit, dropping to number two with Argentina taking over as the world no.1.

Italy had a March to forget as they were humbled by Germany in Berlin, having drawn with Spain five days earlier. These results were reflected in essence as they too dropped a place to 15^th.

Despite Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s sparkling form this season, Sweden are seen as they weakest team in Group E by FIFA. They are now at 36, two places lower than they were a month ago.

Elsewhere, Northern Ireland rose to an all-time high of 26^th in the rankings, now lying only two places behind Group B compatriots Wales, who have dropped seven places to 24^th.

In spite of their victory in Berlin, England drop a place to tenth, while Scotland move five places up to 40^th.

Notably, Euro 2016 hosts France have moved from 24^th to 21^st. The biggest riser in the rankings was Guinea-Bissau who rose 45 places to 102^nd, while Aruba have dropped to 24 places to 137^th in the world, the biggest drop.