The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking has a new leader for the first time since March 2015, with Germany back at the summit. The European champions dethroned USA, who now sit second in a table shaped by an eventful three months of friendly matches and invitational tournaments.

Shock results at the recent SheBelieves Cup did most to end the Stars & Stripes’ reign, with the hosts losing twice to finish bottom of the standings – leading to their lowest rating (2105) since the ranking’s inception. That allowed Germany to leapfrog them into top spot, although the new leaders also lost rating points at the same tournament, having been only side to lose to the US before eventually finishing second.

SheBelieves Cup champions France were consequently able to close in on the leading duo and now sit just 36 rating points behind Germany - the smallest gap between the ranking’s leaders and third-placed team since December 2004.

The latest ranking also reflects an impressive period for Spain, who won the Algarve Cup and climbed to their highest-ever ranking position (13th) on the back of a record rating (1885). Switzerland, too, collected an unprecedented points haul (1866) after winning the Cyprus Cup, while there were notable upward moves from the likes of England (4th, up one place), Sweden (6th, up two), Iceland (18th, up two) and Northern Ireland (55th, up four).

Italy, by contrast, dropped to 19th – their lowest-ever ranking – after losing all three of their matches at the Cyprus Cup.

Further down the table, three countries - Afghanistan, Azerbaijan and Bhutan – returned to the ranking, while 15 disappeared due to prolonged inactivity. This contributed to significant movement throughout, with no fewer than 20 countries improving on their best previous positions.

The next FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking will be published on 23 June 2017.

Leader

Germany

Moves into top ten

None

Moves out of top ten

None

Matches played in total

113

Most matches played

China PR, Maldives, United Arab Emirates (7)

Biggest move by ranks

Rwanda +12 (120 to 108) Kenya +12 (122 to 110) Malawi +12 (123 to 111) Uganda +12 (124 to 112) Botswana +12 (127 to 115) Northern Ireland +4 (59 to 55)

Biggest drop by ranks

Italy -3 (16 to 19) Czech Republic -3 (33 to 36)

Newly ranked teams

Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Bhutan

Teams no longer ranked due to prolonged inactivity

Jordan, Haiti, Fiji, Tonga, New Caledonia, Cuba, Congo, Dominican Republic, Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Dominica, Aruba