Gold medal winners the USA have strengthened their grip at the top with a run of nine consecutive wins, posting a total that is just short of their all-time high of 2233 points in May 2010 and the overall record of 2234 points set by Germany in 2005.
However, world champions Japan have lost ground to second-placed Germany after a patchy performance at the Olympics, due largely to the Nadeshiko’s goalless draw against outsiders South Africa. After being knocked out of the tournament at the quarter-final stage, Sweden have been overtaken by Brazil and France, the latter knocking out the Swedes en route to the semi-finals and returning to the top five in the process, matching their highest position of 2006. Italy are also back in the top ten following Korea DPR’s drop of three places.
Apart from the USA, two countries have impressed over the past three months: South Africa, after their unexpected 0-0 draw against reigning world champions Japan, and Wales, whose defeats of the Republic of Ireland, Israel and Belgium have catapulted them into the top 40 for the first time.
The results of 98 international matches have been recognised in the current edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking, the majority of them UEFA Women’s EURO 2013 qualifiers and matches for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament London 2012.
Three teams (Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan) have been inactive for over 18 months and are therefore no longer ranked. Antigua and Barbuda have re-entered the ranking in 126th position, which brings the total number of teams to 127.
1 USA 2221
2 Germany 2168
3 Japan 2110
4 Brazil 2044
5 France 2021
6 Sweden 2019
7 Canada 2006
8 England 1970
9 Australia 1948
10 Italy 1947
11 Korea DPR 1943
12 Denmark 1923
13 Norway 1907
14 Netherlands 1895
15 Korea Republic 1843
16 Iceland 1842
17 Spain 1831
18 Finland 1819
19 China PR 1818
20 Russia 1801
21 New Zealand 1787
22 Scotland 1785
23 Ukraine 1769
24 Mexico 1768
25 Switzerland 1722
26 Czech Republic 1712
27 Nigeria 1675
28 Belgium 1650
28 Colombia 1650
30 Thailand 1645
Source: fifa.com
View the previous FIFA Women’s World Rankings here.
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74′ USA Sub: Leroux IN, Heath OUT
Agree with you @Lutendo
Japan deserve to be 2nd despite the RSA game,they are current world champions and get a silver on the Olympics,I mean this ranking rules sometimes can be little-bit confusing.
Japan should be 2nd…didn’t think you’d get penalized that much for a draw against a weaker opponent.