FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD RANKINGS – USA RECLAIM CROWN, BANYANA BANYANA MOVE ONE NOTCH UP

The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana moved one spot up in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World rankings released on Friday, 16 August 2024.

The African Champions are placed 50^th, swopping places with Slovakia who drop to position 51.

Desiree Ellis’ charges remain second however on the continent, with the Super Falcons of Nigeria top of the table. The West Africans are 36^th in the world. North Africans Morocco are third, followed by Zambia while Ghana complete the top five.

Banyana Banyana have already played six matches in 2024 – against Tanzania, Nigeria and Senegal – on a home and away basis. They have already secured a friendly vs England in October with another top opposition lined up for November this year.

Making up the top 10 are Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Tunisia, Mali and Equatorial Guinea.

Nigeria and Zambia recently took part in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games but had a dismal performance, failing to win any of their three allocated games each.

CAF TOP 10:

1. Nigeria
2. South Africa
3. Morocco
4. Zambia
5. Ghana
6. Cameroon
7. Cote d’Ivoire
8. Tunisia
9. Mali
10. Equatorial Guinea

Meanwhile the USA reclaimed the top spot on the world rankings, 12 months after losing their spot, following a dismal showing in Australia and New Zealand at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup where they were knocked out 5-4 on penalty by Sweden in the round of 16.

Just a year later, the Americans are singing a different tune.

They have moved from fourth to first after winning the 2024 Women’s Olympic Games tournament in a thrilling 1-0-win victory over Brazil in Paris. This was the USA’s first gold medal at the Games since London 2012 – but their fifth overall.

England are second in the world after climbing just one spot up, taking the position initially occupied by France, who dropped eight spots to 10^th their lowest since 2019.

World Champions Spain fell two places from the top down to third, while Germany and Sweden are fourth and fifth respectively.

There are no newcomers in the top 10 with completing the group.

World Rankings Top 10:

1. USA
2. England
3. Spain
4. Germany
5. Sweden
6. Canada
7. Japan
8. Brazil
9. Korea DPR
10. France

Lichtenstein recently played two international friendly matches against Namibia, drawing 1-1 and losing 2-0. But this was enough to see them getting ranked for the first time ever – bringing to 194 the total number of ranked teams, a new record.

The next FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking will be published on 20 December 2024.

Click HERE to view the complete ranking.

Leaders:

USA

Moves into top 10:

None

Moves out of top 10:

None

Matches played in total:

98

Most matches played:

Germany, Spain, USA (8 matches)

Biggest move by points:

USA (up 60.95 points) 

Biggest move by rank:

USA, Ecuador, Nicaragua (up 4 places)

Biggest drop by points:

France (down 91.12 points)

Biggest drop by rank:

France, North Macedonia (down 8 places)

Newly ranked teams:

Liechtenstein (187th)

Teams that are no longer ranked:

None