The Republic of Ireland have risen five places to 22nd in the FIFA World Rankings released today.
Ireland's steady climb is due largely to their recent World Cup 1-1 draw with Portugal at Lansdowne Road and their workmanlike 2-0 victory away to Estonia.
The Republic were ranked 57th in November 1998 and today's position is their highest since Mick McCarthy took charge in 1996.
Ireland's World Cup Group 2 opponents the Netherlands and Portugal remain in the top 10. The Dutch have dropped one place to ninth while Portugal remain unchanged in fifth.
Sven-Goran Eriksson's England have climbed one place to 13th after their World Cup victory away to Greece and a commanding 4-0 friendly home defeat of Mexico.
Northern Ireland's poor World Cup qualifying campaign has resulted with a drop of four places to 105th while Scotland have slipped eight places to 32nd.
Wales have improved four places and lie one place off Northern Ireland in 106th while Australia - recent Confederations Cup winners - have returned to the world's top 50 for the first time since February 1999.