Spain will maintain their lead in both the men’s and women’s rankings as their dominance transcends both genders.
The biggest movement among the tops comes just below. Germany rose two places to third after reaching the Nations League final, while the US are steady in second – their mixed autumn, marked by two wins over Italy but tempered by an earlier loss to Portugal, leaving them unchanged.
The rest of the top 10 reflects a busy period of qualifying matches and knockout football. Sweden dropped two places to fifth after their semi-final defeat to Spain in the Nations League, with France (now 7th) and Canada (10th) also slipping.
Going the other way, Brazil rises to sixth as preparations intensify ahead of hosting the 2027 Women’s World Cup, while Korea DPR continues its steady climb to ninth. European champion England remains unchanged in fourth.
Elsewhere, there is significant movement across the board. Nicaragua (96th), Burkina Faso (118th) and American Samoa (137th) all moved up 16 places, with American Samoa recording the biggest points gain of any country after wins over the Cook Islands and Tonga.
Paraguay dropped five places to 46th – the sharpest drop within the top 50 – while Mali (85th), Egypt (101st), India (67th), Cameroon (70th) and the Solomon Islands (77th) all slipped.
There is also a historical milestone. Chad and Libya made their first appearance in the rankings after participating in the FIFA Unites: Women’s Series, taking the rankings to a record 198 ranked countries – another sign of the rapid globalization of the sport.
Poland (24th), Venezuela (42nd), Cape Verde (119th) and Saudi Arabia (161st) all reach new highs to end the year, rounding off one of the most active and comprehensive rankings updates women’s sport has ever seen.
Contact the author of this story, Harry Ewing, at force.l1765452498laboratory1765452498ofdlr1765452498are1765452498sni@g1765452498it’s him.1765452498year1765452498
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