The last four months has seen some bumper action when it comes to women’s international football. Over 400 games have been played since the last FIFA Women’s World Cup Rankings were published in August. Never before have so many fixtures been fulfilled in an equivalent period.
The matches ranged from the Women’s 2024 Paris Olympic qualifiers to the UEFA Women’s Nations League, and not forgetting all the action on the African continent in the Women’s African Cup of Nations qualifiers, which saw Banyana Banyana book their ticket to Morocco for the 2024 continental showpiece.
With the large number of matches being played, it would inevitably have a bearing on the rankings.
Reigning champions Spain are in the top spot and this is a first for Olga Carmona‘s team. They now become the fourth team to hold the best ranking place. The USA, who are used to being in first place, are now second on the rankings with France in third place, England are fourth as Sweden drop down and round out the top five places.
Brazil are no longer in the top 10 as they moved down 2 places to 11th, while Canada holds the tenth-placed position.
Banyana slid down seven spots in the rankings, and is now in 52nd place on the table. Nigeria is the top-ranked African side with their 34th place ranking. Meanwhile, Spain, the Philippines (38th), Haiti (51st), Cambodia (116th), and Cabo Verde (131st) attained their highest-ever placings.
Six nations either appear for the first time (Central African Republic and Macau) or reappear (Korea DPR, American Samoa, Madagascar, and Bahamas) in the world rankings, which brings the number of teams listed to 192 – a new record and with six other national sides just one match away from joining, it could grow even further in March.
Desiree Ellis’ team will be back in action on the International stage when they take on Tanzania for their place in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Banyana will face their fellow African opponents in a two-leg home and away tie on 19 and 28 February 2024.
Photo caption: The last four months have seen some bumper action when it comes to women’s international matches. 400 games have been played since the last FIFA Women’s World Cup Rankings were published in August – the most fixtures fulfilled in an equivalent period, and Spain assume the global top spot for their first time ever. Photo: Official Account for Spain’s Women’s National Football Team
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