By Kevin Murphy
Irish football received further bad news as the latest FIFA rankings were released today.
Martin O’Neill’s side have jumped eight places to 52nd in the world, but they will be in pot four for the qualifying draw in two weeks’ time.
The Boys in Green are currently ranked at 32 in Europe, but needed to be in the top 28 to make it into pot three.
The road to Russia could be very daunting and other pot four contries include the Faroe Islands, Montenegro and Estonia.
Wales are the big winners in the latest rankings and have climbed to tenth which will get them a place in pot one.
O’Neill’s side are in a titanic battle for Euro 2016 qualification, however his side face an uphill struggle following a disappointing draw with Scotland recently.
Ireland up 8 spots in #FIFA rankings. Cape Verde Islands looking nervously over their shoulder pic.twitter.com/tgEDfMe7K9
— Mark McCadden (@markmccadden) July 9, 2015