SCOTLAND climbed Fifa’s world rankings, despite missing out on World Cup qualification, along with England and Ireland.
Scotland rose 14 places to 29th, despite missing out on Russia 2018, after victory over Slovakia and a draw with Slovenia this month.
England, who qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Russia with wins over Slovenia and Lithuania, climbed three places to 12th in the rankings led by Germany, football’s world body announced yesterday.
Gareth Southgate’s side are now the leading home nation after Wales, who, like Scotland, missed out on the finals, fell a place to 14th.
Ireland, who reached the play-offs, rose eight places to 26th while Northern Ireland fell three places to 23rd despite making the play-offs.
Brazil are second in the rankings and Portugal third, with Argentina fourth, Belgium fifth and Poland sixth in an unchanged top six.
France climbed one place to seventh and Spain climbed three places to eighth.
Chile stayed ninth despite missing out on World Cup qualification while Peru rose into the top 10 for the first time after scoring a play-off against New Zealand.
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