Latest FIFA Ranking: Nigeria’s Super Falcons remain Africa’s best, stay miles off Spain, England, USA

The latest FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking has been released after nearly three months, during which 154 international football matches were played, Soccernet.ng reports. 

In Africa, qualifying matches for the Women's Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 took place, while Europe saw UEFA Women's EURO 2025 qualifiers.

Nigeria remain the best national team in Africa but the Super Falcons' overall ranking stayed unchanged at number 36 in the world.

During the period of the ranking's consideration, Nigeria played two back-to-back games against South Africa, winning one and drawing the other to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games. It, however, had no bearing on the Super Falcons' standing on the global log.

Despite being outclassed by Nigeria, African champions South Africa are still the second-ranked team on the continent and 51st in the world.

WAFCON 2022 finalists Morocco dropped down to the 59th position in the world but the Lionesses maintained their third position in Africa.

Zambia overtook Ghana (5th, 65th) and Cameroon (6th, 68th) to climb 64th globally, their highest point on the FIFA rankings. Cote d'Ivoire, Tunisia, Mali, and Equatorial Guinea complete Africa's top ten.

June FIFA Ranking: Global Outlook

World champions Spain remains at the top but now faces new competition from France, which has moved up to 2nd place, overtaking England, which has dropped to 3rd. Germany has climbed to 4th, pushing the USA down to 5th.

Sweden stays in 6th place, and Japan holds 7th. Canada, Brazil, and Korea DPR each move up one spot to 8th, 9th, and 10th respectively, while the Netherlands fall out of the top ten, landing in 11th for the first time in seven years.

Montenegro has jumped four places to 85th, and El Salvador has climbed seven places to 90th. Belarus has made the biggest points gain, adding 31.91 points to move up to 55th.

North Macedonia has made the most significant progress in ranking places, rising 12 spots to 123rd after wins over Latvia and Moldova.

Besides North Macedonia, five other teams have achieved their highest-ever point totals: Spain, Zambia, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, and Congo DR. Zambia is also celebrating its best-ever ranking position at 64th.

The next FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking will be published on August 16, 2024.