Malta join the party, USA retain top spot, Seven sides hit new highs

Ambar Bhattacharya, abptakmaa, Kolkata, 19th Dec 2020 : The year will end as it started for the top teams in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women‘s World Ranking. The United States (1st) will see out 2020 at the top of the global standings with their highest points total for over six years (June 2014). Immediately below the world champions are Germany (2nd), over whom the Stars and Stripes have increased their lead, and France (3rd).

Following their draw with Austria (20th) in UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 qualifying, Les Bleues came close to surrendering third place to the Netherlands (4th). However, the Oranjeleeuwinnen were unable to profit from that slip-up after going down to USA in a friendly. The Dutch remain in fourth place nevertheless, with Sweden (5th) completing the Top 5.

The main movement happened lower down the Ranking. The most significant point-increase (+37) came from Malta, who ascended 16 places thanks in particular to away wins in Georgia (114th) and Israel (68th). The Maltese end 2020 in 85th place, a ranking they have not attained for three years.

In addition, seven teams will finish 2020 in their highest ever position: Slovenia (48th), Northern Ireland (49th), Fiji (64th), the Philippines (65th), Cuba (81st), Gambia (104th) and Comoros (139th).

Click HERE to view the complete ranking.

The next FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking will be published on 26 March 2021.

Leader    USA (unchanged)
Moves into top 10    Japan
Moves out of top 10    Korea DPR
Matches played in total    111
Most matches played    France, Russia (6 matches each)
Biggest move by points    Malta (plus 37 points)
Biggest move by ranks    Malta, Kosovo (plus 16 rank each)
Biggest drop by points    Scotland (minus 42 points)
Biggest drop by ranks    Belarus (minus 3 ranks)
Newly ranked teams    Ecuador
Teams that are no longer ranked    18 teams