Swedes secure historic top spot
World champions Spain soar into second
Morocco are biggest climbers
The recently concluded ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ saw Spain rewrite the history books, with their maiden world crown also resulting in a stunning jump in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking (2nd, up 4). Indeed, La Roja could have even clinched pole position had they not missed out on the 35 points at stake in their heavy 4-0 defeat to Japan in their final group-stage game.
As a result, it is Sweden who sit at the top of the pile for the first time ever (1st, up 2). The Scandinavians dethrone the USA (3rd, down 2), whom they squeezed past in the round of 16 before ultimately being edged out in the semis and then recovering to overcome joint hosts Australia in the match for third place.
As for the Matildas (11th, down 1), they pay the price for their defeat in that tussle for the final podium place and are the only side to drop out of the top ten in this edition of the ranking. Meanwhile, quarter-finalists Japan (8th, up 3) move in the opposite direction to reclaim their spot amongst the leading pack.
The other movers in the top ten of the global standings are the Netherlands (7th, up 2) and Germany (6th, down 4), the latter having failed to progress beyond the group stage for the first time at the finals. Elsewhere, Canada (10th, down 3) also suffer the consequences of their early exit.
| Leaders | Sweden (up 2 ranks) |
| Moves into top ten | 1 (Japan – 11th to 8th) |
| Moves out of top ten | 1 (Australia – 10th to 11th) |
| Matches played in total | 131 |
| Most matches played | Spain (9 matches) |
| Biggest move by points | Morocco (up 104.22 points) |
| Biggest move by ranks | Morocco (up 14 ranks) |
| Biggest drop by points | Germany (down 73.89 points) |
| Biggest drop by ranks | Equatorial Guinea (down 9 ranks) |
| Newly ranked teams | - |
| Teams that are no longer ranked | Madagascar, American Samoa |
Tournament newcomers Morocco proved to be one of the revelations in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand – where they reached the Round of 16 – and they also make waves in this ranking as the biggest climbers (58th, up 14).
The other three African participants at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 all make headway courtesy of their exploits at the showpiece after South Africa (45th, up 9) and Nigeria (32nd, up 8) both negotiated their way out of the group stage, while Zambia (69th, up 8) record their highest-ever position in the ranking.
Click here to view the full ranking.
The next FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking will be published on 15 December 2023.