South Africa’s Banyana Banyana have climbed up nine spots on the latest FIFA Rankings, announced on Friday, 25 August 2023.
The 2023 Momentum gsport Awards Team of the Year finalists moved from 54th to 45th on the rankings after a historic feat reaching the Round of 16 at this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Nigeria also excelled, advancing eight places to claim the 32nd position, further solidifying their status as a force to be reckoned with in African women’s football. Similarly, Zambia achieved their highest-ever ranking, moving up eight places to reach 69th.
The achievements of these African nations reflect the growing prominence and talent within the women’s football landscape on the continent. It is evident that Africa is producing top-quality players and teams capable of competing against the best in the world.
In an additional noteworthy development, Sweden claimed the top spot in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking for the first time in history. The Scandinavian team’s remarkable journey at the World Cup propelled them to this coveted position, overshadowing the reigning champions, the USA, who slipped to third place.
Spain, the tournament’s surprise champions, soared to second place in the rankings, highlighting the team’s incredible rise and their maiden World Cup victory. Their impressive performance proves that nations outside of the traditional powerhouses can excel in women’s football.
Among the European teams, the Netherlands made a significant move, rising two places to the seventh spot. Conversely, Germany experienced an unexpected setback, dropping four spots to sixth after an early exit from the tournament. Canada, another prominent team, faced disappointment as they slid three places down to tenth position.
While European teams experienced some ups and downs, it was the African teams who made the most significant impact at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Their achievements serve as a testament to the passion, talent, and determination prevalent in women’s football in Africa. As the sport continues to evolve on the continent, these teams have set the stage for future success and further growth of the game across Africa.
Note: The information in this article is based on the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking and the performance of teams in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Photo 1 Caption: Banyana Banyana previously pictured in a training session before heading off to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Photo: gsport
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