France return to top five
Defending World and European champions Germany still top the FIFA Women's World Ranking, despite a challenge from the USA who are ranked second and trail Silvia Neid's team by only 30 points. There are no changes in the top four, with Norway and Brazil third and fourth respectively. However, the remaining six teams in the top ten have shifted slightly, most notably France (5th) who climb two places to make it into the top five. Korea DPR (7th) drop one place, while China PR (8th) improve their ranking by one position.
This year's Algarve Cup has already had an effect on the ranking; Germany underlined their domination at international level with 5-0 and 3-0 wins over Finland and Sweden respectively. Meanwhile, the USA defeated Denmark, but only managed a goalless draw with China PR, who have seen former FIFA Women's World Player runner-up Sun Wen return to the fold. Norway's loss of 35 rating points in this edition of the ranking may be explained by their two draws with Sweden and Finland in Portugal earlier this month.
Elsewhere in the ranking, Senegal jump a huge 14 ranks to 80th, gaining the most rating points in the process (+101). Morocco (58th) make a welcome return to the FIFA Women's World Ranking, whilst Equatorial Guinea (119th) appear for the first time.
The ranking currently features 125 teams, who are evaluated according to a number of factors, including match results, home advantage, significance of match and strength of opposition. The ranking is published four times per year. According to the Big Count survey published by FIFA in 2001, 22 million women and girls around the world play football.
- The next FIFA Women's World Ranking will be published on 19 May 2006.
Past rankings can be found on this page from the FIFA website