Northern Ireland up to highest-ever FIFA world ranking of 26th

Steve Davis (L) of Northern Ireland celebrates after scoring during the international football friendly match between Northern Ireland and Latvia at Windsor Park on November 13, 2015 in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
© Getty Images
Northern Ireland reach their best-ever FIFA ranking of 26th after setting a new country record of 10 matches unbeaten.
By , Football League Editor
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Last Updated: Thursday, April 7, 2016 at 18:30 UK

Northern Ireland have climbed to their highest-ever standing of 26th in FIFA's latest world rankings.

Michael O'Neill's side, who are on a country-record ten-match unbeaten run, are up two places in the new list.

They reached Euro 2016 by topping their qualifying group and will be up against world champions Germany, Poland and Ukraine in the group stage in France this summer.

Other home nations England and Wales fell to tenth and 24th respectively, while Scotland are up five places to 40th.

Elsewhere, Belgium's five-month stay at the top of the FIFA men's rankings comes to an end, with the Red Devils leapfrogged by Argentina.

Argentina's Lucas Biglia (R) celebrates with Ezequiel Lavezzi after scoring against Colombia during their Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup South American Qualifiers football match, in Barranquilla on November 17, 2015
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14West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom361011153246-1441
15Bournemouth36118174363-2041
16Crystal Palace36109173646-1039
17Newcastle UnitedNewcastle3689193964-2533
18Sunderland35711174058-1832
19Norwich CityNorwich3587203561-2631
RAston Villa3637262772-4516
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