New FIFA rankings out today show that Ireland is the 25th best team in the world. Anyone who sw Ireland bludgeon Andorra and Armenia in recent weeks will agree. But hold the phone - has FIFA screwed us by drawing the World Cup qualifying groups last July? Paul Malone, a reader writes:
After some research, we have to agree with Paul. Check out the 2010 World Cup draw. It took place on November 25, 2007, after the playoff for Euro 2008 had been completed. If the draw were to take place today, Ireland would be the #14th 16th ranked team in Europe. This puts us ahead of the following second seeds in the 2014 qualifying groups: Slovakia, Slovenia and Montenegro. (Note - Bosnia and Switzerland are actually ranked higher than us and are also third seeds). It makes no sense, and it leaves us with an almighty challenge for World Cup qualification. Maybe the Estonia draw makes a bit of sense.
