Finishing second in the UEFA Women’s Nations League meant the Women’s National Team gained three places in the FIFA Rankings which were updated today. In fact, Italy climbed from 17th to 14th thanks to the two victories over Switzerland and the win over Spain, which meant Andrea Soncin’s team kept their place in League A without having to compete in the playoffs. 

Spain, crowned World Champions in Australia and New Zealand but defeated by Italy in Pontevedra in the Nations League, topped the Rankings for the first time, ousting Sweden who fell to fifth. The United States followed in second place, before France and then England. Spain became the fourth team to occupy the top spot in the world rankings of women’s football after the United States, Germany and Sweden. 

Almost 400 international games have been played since the last update to the rankings in August, including qualifications for the 2024 Olympics and the UEFA Nations League. In the AFC, CAF and CONCACAF regions, qualifications for their respective continental tournaments have been played, whilst the Pacific Games were held in the OFC region, excluding New Zealand. Germany (6th), Netherlands (7th), Japan (8th), North Korea (9th) and Canada (10th) complete the top 10 as Brazil fell from ninth to eleventh. The next update to the ranking will be made in March. 

FIFA Rankings Top 20

1) Spain 2066.05 points
2) United States 2045.12 
3) France 2021.69 
4) England 2014.19 
5) Sweden 1998.09 
6) Germany 1987.25
7) Netherlands 1986.84
8) Japan 1978.01
9) North Korea 1950.87
10) Canada 1948.58
11) Brazil 1941.08
12) Australia 1879.84
13) Denmark 1874.20
14) ITALY 1860.67
15) Ireland 1846.70
16) Norway 1839.67
17) Austria 1838.76
18) Belgium 1818.53
19) China 1803.40
20) South Korea 1800.07