Romania, England and Wales, qualifiers for Euro 2016, managed to break into the top 10 in light of their respective competitors’ downfalls, as Spain dropped two places, Uruguay fell five, and France plunged down 13 spots.
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England, along with other big names from Europe, will be in a group of six teams at the request of UEFA – probably in order to maximise television income.
Ireland were previously fourth seeds for the 1990 World Cup qualifying draw under Jack Charlton, and again under Steven Staunton when they failed to qualify for Euro 2008. Then, the single five-nation group got Portugal as its main attraction.
The Vermont Democrat also pointed to the $2 million award given to the US team after winning the 2015 Women’s World Cup, comparing it to the $35 million award Germany received for winning the Men’s World Cup in 2014.
Chile is up eight spots at No. 11, and Algeria comes in at No. 19, the only non-European or South American team in top 20.
Wales have risen to their highest ever Federation Internationale de Football Association ranking in recent weeks, and now sit 10th in the world, meaning that they will be in pot one when the Uefa draw is conducted on July 25.
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Scotland, ranked 29th in the world, and 37th-ranked Northern Ireland will be in the pot of third seeds for the draw. Both are likely to be seeded by Federation Internationale de Football Association despite neither playing at the World Cup since 1998 and 1958, respectively.
