The United States women's national team fell to fifth place in the latest FIFA rankings, its lowest point since FIFA began ranking women's teams in 2003.
The drop is one place lower than the fourth place obtained in March.
Before 2024, the US women had never been ranked lower than No. 2 in the world, but the team has fallen three spots in six months – the biggest move the USWNT has seen in the rankings as the team heads to the Olympics. from Paris in July. .
Spain, France and England occupy the top three places, in that order, while England, runner-up in the women's world championship, falls to third place. Germany edged out the American women for fourth place.
From 2003 to 2023, the United States held firm in the top two positions, and from 2008 to 2014 and again from 2017 to June 2023, the team held solidly in first place.
However, after their unexpected elimination from the 2023 World Cup, the women fell to third place for the first time in August 2023. They managed to return to second place in December, showing signs of a possible recovery.
However, since December 2023, the winners of the 2015 and 2019 World Cups have continued to fall, reaching fourth place in March 2023 and now fifth place in June.
Former Chelsea coach Emma Hayes, who was named the team's new coach and will make her debut in the Olympic tournament, said there are many reasons to be hopeful.
“If we can perform at our best, then we have a chance to do things,” Hayes said last month. “But we have work to do. The reality is that the world game is where it is, and the rest of the world doesn't fear the United States like it used to, and that's valid.”
The USWNT has Olympic preparations on July 13 against Mexico at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, and July 16 against Costa Rica at Audi Field in Washington, DC. They beat South Korea in two friendlies this month. At the SheBelieves Cup in April, the USWNT beat Japan 2-1 and defeated Canada in a penalty shootout.
Canada, Brazil and the Democratic Republic of Korea all made the top 10, forcing the Netherlands out of the top 10 for the first time since 2017.
Germany beat Iceland and Poland in European Championship qualifying matches in April.
Germany is currently undefeated in group A4 after beating Austria, Iceland and Poland twice.
They have also qualified for the 2025 Euro Cup with two games remaining, scoring 13 goals, only surpassed by Spain (15).
