Almost four months have passed since the last edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking, during which time 176 internationals have been played. Gibraltar (185th) are the latest side to join the Women’s Ranking, swelling its numbers to a record 195.
While the USA (1st) end the calendar year at the summit, Spain (2nd, +1) are now their closest pursuers, as Germany (3rd, +1) return to the top three at the expense of England (4th, -2), who they recently beat 4-3 in a friendly.
Sweden (5th) and Canada (6th) maintain their lofty positions, while Brazil (7th, +1) and Japan (8th, -1) swapped places. Korea DPR (9th) are ahead of the Netherlands (10th, +1), whose return to top 10 sees France (11th, -1) drop out of it for the first time in their history.
There has also been considerable movement in the top 50. The most notable breakthroughs have come from Poland (28th, +4), who recorded the biggest gain in terms of points, and Belarus (50th, +5). Indonesia (97th, +7) and Estonia (99th, +8) made even more spectacular gains in breaking into the top 100.
Beyond that, Bangladesh (132nd, +7, 1097.55 points) and Saudi Arabia (166th, +8, 877.08 points) continue to head in the right direction, attaining their highest points totals in the process.
Ten other teams also have cause to celebrate: Poland (1697.07 points), Zambia (1412.37 points), Cambodia (1150.75 points), Namibia (1111.61), Uganda (1028,58), Kenya (1020.22), Pakistan (950.27), Bhutan (866.32), Andorra (773.87) and Madagascar (694.47). Saudi Arabia will be especially happy to have attained their highest ever ranking, as will Northern Ireland (44th, +1) and Cabo Verde (129th, +1).