August 5 – July 2022 will likely go down in women’s football history as the month the women’s international game changed forever.
Five major continental tournaments were played – EURO 2022, Concacaf w Championship, WAFCON, Copa America Feminina and the OFC Women’s Nations Cup. All of them were expanded from their previous formats and all of them broke records for media exposure and fan engagement. All served as qualifying events for the Women’s World Cup 2023.
One thing that hasn’t changed is the dominance of the USA at the top of the world rankings, a position they have held since 2017.
FIFA note that 221 women’s international have been played since the rankings were last published in June, with a record 185 teams listed in the new standings.
The USA have a host of challengers from Europe jostling for position behind them. Germany moved above Sweden into second spot, while Euro 2022 winners England moved up four places to go fourth, ahead of France and the Netherlands.
Canada, who lost to the USA dropped a place to 7th, while Spain also dropped a place to 8th.
The USA are scheduled to play England in September at Wembley in what will be a big test of the world topping ranking. England are unbeaten in 19 matches under the new coach Sarina Wiegman.
WAFCON semi-finalists Zambia were the highest movers, up 23 places to 80th.
Concacaf w’s third place Jamaica also showed movement with the Reggae Girlz going up nine spots and achieving their highest-ever ranking at 42.
Cambodia (120th), Turkmenistan (137th) Timor-Leste (152nd) and Guinea-Bissau (169th), were all ranking for the first time.
To see the full ranking click here.
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