Friday 27 September 2019, 07:54

USA dominance maintained as Belgium, Chile and Fiji reach record highs

Belgium, Chile and Fiji have all climbed to their highest-ever positions in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking, which continues to be led by USA.

The Belgians (18th, up 1), Chileans (37th, up 1) and Fijians (68th, up 4) were among relatively few notable success stories to emerge from the latest edition, with very little movement in the upper echelons in particular. Indeed, no country in the top 35 moved up or down by more than a single place, this after recent matches – including the opening UEFA Women’s EURO qualifiers – yielded precious few upsets.

A surprise did come in South America, though, with Brazil’s (11th, down 1) penalty shoot-out loss to Chile in the Torneio Internacional de Futebol Feminino leading to A Seleção dropping out of the Ranking’s top ten for the first time. Japan (10th, up 1), who have yet to play since this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, were the main beneficiaries besides, of course, the Chileans themselves.

In Oceania, Samoa (107th, up 8) also sprung a couple of notable surprises, beating Tonga (5-0) and Fiji (1-0) to become the continent’s biggest climbers.

But this edition’s most valuable tie in terms of points came in Africa, where Zimbabwe (111th, down 9) tumbled down the ladder on the back of losing the first leg of an Olympic qualifier against 5-0 and then forfeiting the second. They were duly leapfrogged by their conquerors, Zambia (111th, up 9).

The next FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking will be published on 13 December 2019.

LeaderUSA (unchanged)
Moved into top tenJapan (10th, up 1)
Moved out of top tenBrazil (11th, down 1)
Matches played in total113
Most matches playedBotswana, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe (all 7)
Biggest move by pointsBotswana (plus 56)
Biggest move by ranksZambia (110th, up 9)
Biggest drop by pointsSouth Africa (minus-53)
Biggest drop by ranksZimbabwe (102nd, down 9)
Newly ranked teamsKyrgyz Republic, Angola, Comoros, Mauritius
Teams no longer ranked due to prolonged inactivityAfghanistan

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