The FIFA Women’s World Rankings for football was introduced in 2003 as a follow-on to the existing Men’s FIFA World Rankings.

FIFA Women’s World Rankings are based on every international match a team has ever played, dating back to 1971. Still, the Rankings are implicitly weighted to emphasize recent results and are only published four times a year.

To date, the United States and Germany have been the only two teams to lead the women’s rankings.

The United States holds the record for the longest consecutive period leading the rankings of nearly 7 years.

So these are the Top 10 teams on the Women’s World Rankings.

Top 10 FIFA Rankings

10. Japan

The Japanese team is known by the name ‘Nadeshiko’ and their biggest success is the World Cup title in 2011 after the final win against the USA. They were also runner-up at the 2012 Olympics and the 2015 World Cup. Homare Sawa is the team star who leads Japan’s all-time appearance and scoring lists.

9. Australia

‘The Matildas’ have never won a major world tournament but are three-time OFC champion, one-time AFC champion and one-time AFF champion, and became the first-ever national team to win in two different confederations Oceania and Asia. Cheryl Salisbury has recorded the most appearances for Australia while Sam Kerr is the leading scorer.

8. Canada

Canada made their greatest victory at the recent Tokyo Olympics, passing the United States in the semi-finals and later beating Sweden in the gold medal match after a penalty shootout.

Canada has also won two Olympic bronze medals and two CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cups. Christine Sinclair is Canada’s living legend with most appearances and goals scored.

7. Brazil

Unlike their men colleagues, ‘As Canarinhas’ is not the most successful nation in women’s football. Their greatest achievements are the second places at the 2007 World Cup and at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics.

Brazil is a seven-time Copa América champion. Marta, one of the biggest stars of the game, is their leading scorer while Formiga has the most appearances.

6. England

England women’s national football team has made its biggest success at the 2015 World Cup finishing as a runner-up. They have also reached the final of the UEFA Women’s Championship in 1984 and 2009. Fara Williams has made most appearances for England while Kelly Smith is the leading scorer.

5. Sweden

Sweden has been traditionally recognized as one of the world’s best women’s teams and has won the European Competition for Women’s Football in 1984 and has finished second in 1987, 1995 and 2001.

They have also won a silver medal at the 2003 World Cup as well as bronzes in 1991, 2011 and 2019. Their best results at the Olympics are second place in 2016 and 2020. Caroline Seger has played the most games for Sweden while Lotta Schelin has scored the most goals.

4. The Netherlands

The Netherlands has won the European Championship as hosts in 2017 and have finished as runner-up at the 2019 World Cup. They reached their highest FIFA ranking in 2020 when they were 3rd. Sherida Spitse has made the most appearances for the Netherlands while Vivianne Miedema is the leading scorer.

3. France

‘Les Bleues’ are currently at their highest ranking as a result of their consistent improvement. Still, they haven’t made any significant success at the major tournament since their best results are fourth place at the 2011 World Cup and quarter-finals at the European Championships in 2009, 2013 and 2017). Eugenie Le Sommer is the team’s leading scorer and Sandrine Soubeyrand has the most appearances.

2. Germany

Germany is the most successful European nation when it comes to women’s football. They are two-time world champions, having won the 2003 and 2007 tournaments.

‘Die Nationalelf’ has won eight of the twelve UEFA European Championships, claiming six consecutive titles between 1995 and 2013. Germany has won Olympic gold in 2016, after three consecutive bronze medals. Birgit Prinz is the player with the most appearances and goals.

1. United States

Team USA is the most successful in international women’s soccer, winning four Women’s World Cup titles (1991, 1999, 2015, and 2019), four Olympic gold medals (1996, 2004, 2008, and 2012), and eight CONCACAF Gold Cups. It medaled in every World Cup and Olympic tournament in women’s soccer from 1991 to 2015. 

Team USA was ranked No. 1 continuously from March 2008 to November 2014. Kristine Lilly has recorded the most appearances for the USA while Abby Wambach has scored the most goals.

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Related Links:

• Men’s FIFA World Rankings 2021