Ireland result sees France rise in FIFA rankings

France have risen two places in the FIFA world rankings following their controversial World Cup play-off win over the Republic of Ireland.

Bertrand Guay/GettyImages

Raymond Domenech has come under increasing pressure despite leading France to the 2010 World Cup.

The French have moved up to seventh on the back of their 2-1 aggregate win over the Irish, secured after Thierry Henry handled in the build-up to their winner in the second leg at the Stade de France in Paris. The Republic have fallen two places to 36.

Spain top the rankings, displacing Brazil who drop to second. England have dropped two places to ninth and Portugal are up five places to fifth following a play-off win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

While the mechanism for seeding the World Cup draw on December 4 has yet to be confirmed, FIFA have said they will discount November's rankings as they have been distorted by the play-offs in Europe.

Four of the World Cup qualified teams do not feature among the top 50 - South Korea, North Korea, New Zealand and South Africa.

Northern Ireland have dropped nine places to 39, Scotland have held on to 46th place despite their recent tribulations and Wales are the lowest ranked of the home nations, down one place to 79.