FIFA have released their latest rankings, and the last ones of 2025.
Troy Parrott celebrates scoring his third goal against Hungary(Image: ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP via Getty Images)
Ireland will finish 2025 in a slightly stronger position than 12 months ago, as far as the FIFA world rankings are concerned.
Heimir HallgrÃmsson’s men are 59th in the final list of the year, one spot better than December 2024 and three places better off than their lowest position over the past year, which was 62nd in the October release.
Troy Parrott-inspired wins against Portugal and Hungary last month, which propelled the Boys in Green into an unlikely World Cup play-off, saw them move out of the 60s in the November rankings.
And in a month of inactivity since, as with most nations, their position remains unchanged in December.
There are some changes ahead of them, with Hungary benefitting from Tunisia losing ranking points to move up one place to 40th.
At the top of the rankings, there are no changes with Spain heading into the new year ahead of second placed Argentina and France in third. England, Brazil and Portugal make up the top-six.
As for Ireland’s route to next summer’s World Cup, play-off semi-final hosts Czechia remain in 44th, while on the other side of the draw Denmark are 21st and North Macedonia are 66th.
If Ireland do progress to the finals next summer, Group A opponents Korea are 22nd in the latest FIFA rankings, while South Africa are 61st and co-hosts Mexico are 15th.
Scotland remain in 36th after they qualified for the World Cup automatically. Wales are 32nd and Northern Ireland are 69th.