It's not often that release of the FIFA rankings would be so anticipated by Republic of Ireland fans. A victory over Italy, and reaching the last 16 of the Euros should have lead to a big increase from June's ranking of 33rd - especially after the fiasco of Euro 2012 would get discounted from the calculations.
Or so we thought.
Now that FIFA have released the rankings it's hard to feel anything other than deflated. Ireland have risen two places. Just two. Now we're at a heady 31st in the world. How did that happen?
We're still behind Bosnia and Ukraine - both of whom fell a long way - Ukraine from a shocking Euros, Bosnia from no Euros. Northern Ireland, after an impressive campaign actually dropped in the rankings by three to 28th.
But that's not the only confusing thing. Euro 2016 winners Portugal are only in sixth, with Copa America winners Chile just ahead in fifth. Argentina stay as the world's best team, whilst Belgium remain in second. Colombia stay in third, with Euros semi-finalists Germany in fourth.
Wales had the huge rise up the rankings, back to 11th ahead of England who drop to 13th. The other huge risers are Croatia (up 12 to 15th), Poland (up 11 to 16th), and Iceland (up 12 to 22nd).
See Also: Why The Greece Comparison Is Very Unfair To The New European Champions
Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
