The reverberations of last month’s 6-1 World Cup qualifying defeat to Germany are still being felt as the Republic of Ireland slipped eight spots to 36th in the latest world rankings.

The 4-1 win over the Faroe Islands four days later could not halt their slide down the rankings ladder. Trapattoni, who has always placed great store in the Fifa standings, will aim to get moving back in the right direction next week when Ireland host Greece at the Aviva Stadium in a friendly international.

Five-time world champions Brazil remain outside the top 10, despite winning both friendlies last month. Brazil thumped Iraq 6-0 and Japan 4-0 yet rose only one place, to 13th.

Spain remain in first place, ahead of Germany, while Argentina’s wins over Uruguay and Chile moved them up to third place.