The latest FIFA Women’s World Ranking marks Japan’s return to the top five for the first time in eight years, with Tanzania and Kenya making substantial gains. The US maintains the number one position, while several nations outside the elite rankings have also seen improvements. Upcoming qualifiers could lead to further alterations in rankings.
The first FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking of 2025 has presented significant advancements, particularly with Japan re-entering the top five for the first time since 2015. Tanzania and Kenya have notably increased their standings. This ranking edition features a remarkable total of 196 teams, with Djibouti making its debut at the 195th position.
The United States retains its position at No. 1 despite a 2-1 loss to Japan in the SheBelieves Cup final. Spain holds second place, followed by Germany in third, and England in fourth. Japan’s impressive leap to fifth place results in Sweden, Canada, and Brazil slipping to sixth, seventh, and eighth places respectively. Korea DPR and the Netherlands maintain their positions at ninth and tenth.
Several nations outside the top-tier rankings have made significant progress. Puerto Rico (81st, up 4), Montenegro (84th, up 4), El Salvador (85th, up 5), Nepal (99th, up 4), UAE (112th, up 4), Cabo Verde (125th, up 4), and Cyprus (127th, up 6) achieved notable improvements in their rankings.
Tanzania and Kenya, positioned at 138th and 142nd respectively, are the edition’s most improved teams, each climbing seven spots. Other African nations, such as Burkina Faso (132nd) and Benin (147th), also experienced significant upward movement, each advancing by five positions.
The forthcoming rankings in June may reflect an even greater African presence, as Chad, Eritrea, Libya, and Sudan are on the verge of their first-ever ranking entries, pending just one official match. As the qualifiers for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 are underway, further fluctuations in the global standings are anticipated.
In summary, Japan’s return to the top five is a significant achievement, while Tanzania and Kenya showcase remarkable improvements in their ranks. The overall landscape of women’s football is evolving, as several teams continue to climb the rankings. Upcoming qualifiers may lead to further changes, highlighting the dynamic nature of the competition within women’s football globally.
Original Source: www.nation.com.pk
