August 7 – Spain have leapfrogged the United States to top the FIFA Women’s World Rankings in the latest update, despite the nation’s EURO 2025 penalty shootout heartbreak.
La Roja impressed in Switzerland this summer, but came up against England’s grit and determination in a fiercely contested final in Basel.
The reshuffle means that the now-second-placed US have been knocked off the perch they had occupied since August 2024. However, three convincing home friendly wins during the EURO period have kept the Stars and Stripes in contention, and they sit less than two points behind Spain in the rankings.
EURO quarter-finalists Sweden jump to third, moving up three places, but still sit 40 points behind the top two.
They also move ahead of England, despite the Lionesses winning EURO 2025 and knocking the Swedes out on the way. The two-time European champions find themselves fourth.
Though nobody moved in or out of the top 10, it has been shaken up completely since the June edition of the ranking, with France just four places to sixth. Les Bleues completed a flawless group stage at EURO 2025, including an opening day victory over England, before falling to Germany in the quarter-finals.
Brazil tumbled down the rankings to seventh despite picking up their ninth continental trophy – the Copa America Feminina. Their placement was hindered by a loss to France prior to the tournament and a draw with Colombia side in the group stage. The Seleção, however, got their own back with victory over Las Chicas Superpoderosas on penalties in a thrilling final.
Further down the ranking, the Asian qualifiers for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 and the OFC Women’s Nations Cup have stirred things up. Bangladesh (104th, up 24) recorded the biggest jump in places and points (+80.51) following crucial victories over Myanmar, Bahrain and Turkmenistan as they eye qualification for the Asian Cup next year.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1754574833labto1754574833ofdlr1754574833owedi1754574833sni@g1754574833niwe.1754574833yrrah1754574833