Ireland to be fourth seeds in Russia 2018 qualification draw

With qualification for next year’s European Championships looking unlikely, Ireland’s hopes of making it to the 2018 World Cup have also taken a hit with the news they are set to be fourth seeds in the qualification draw later this month.

Despite Martin O’Neill’s side moving up eight places in the latest Fifa rankings to 52nd, which puts them alongside South Korea and the Cape Verde Islands, they are still likely to be seeded fourth.

The last time Ireland were seeded fourth for World Cup qualification was for Italia '90, while they were also fourth seeds for the failed Euro 2008 qualification campaign under Steve Staunton.

The draw for the Russia 2018 qualification groups will take place in St Petersburg on July 25th.

Ireland have draws against England and Scotland to thank for their rise in the rankings, while Chile’s Copa America win also boosted them eight places from 19th to 11th.

Argentina, who Chile beat on penalties to lift the Copa America, have toppled Germany to move into top spot.

Elsewhere England have moved up six places into ninth, while Wales have risen 12 spots into 10th thanks to their win over Belgium last month.