Spain’s women’s national team reached a historic milestone this Friday, climbing to the top tier of FIFA’s world rankings. This marked a new barrier for the squad and highlighted the ongoing growth of the sport on the global stage. The achievement comes as the team finished a memorable year, with the world standings reflecting a comforting privilege anchored in consistent performances through 2023.
The world champions surged to the second spot after lifting the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, with the champions’ celebration on August 20 signaling a shift in the balance of power. The Nations League victories and the push toward the coveted Final Four next February further solidified this ascent, positioning Spain as a dominant force and earning the title of the current world leader in women’s football for the moment.
Spain joined a select group as the fourth nation to claim this honor in the women’s rankings, following the United States, Germany, and Sweden. In this context, only two countries have managed to lead both the men’s and women’s rankings at different times: Spain and Germany, illustrating the enduring strength of European football across genders.
USA, second
Under coach Montse Tome, the Spanish team holds 2,066.05 points, narrowly ahead of the United States with 2,045.12 and France with 2,021.69, which has risen in the standings. The Swedish squad, affected by a cautious Nations League campaign, slips four places to fifth after losing ground to England, which moves ahead in the table. The rankings reflect the close competition among top nations and the impact of regional campaigns on global standings.
Looking ahead to March, FIFA is set to publish the next set of rankings following the Final Four celebrations. The current world champions will aim to conquer another historic hurdle and secure a spot at their first Olympic Games, needing to defeat the Netherlands, which stands seventh in the world. This upcoming phase adds another layer to what has already been a landmark year for the sport and its leading nations.
FIFA women’s rankings December 2023
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1 (2) Spain 2066.05.
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2 (3) United States 2045.12.
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3 (5) France 2021.69.
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4 (4) England 2014.19.
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5 (1) Sweden 1998.09.
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6 (6) Germany 1987.25.
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7 (7) Netherlands 1986.84.
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8 (8) Japan 1978.01.
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9 (9) South Korea 1950.87.
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10 (10) Canada 1948.58.
The progression illustrates how the sport’s global landscape is shifting, with the world rankings acting as a barometer for the health of women’s football across continents. As the teams prepare for upcoming fixtures and tournaments, supporters can expect continued competition at the highest level, driven by investment in development programs, youth pipelines, and professional leagues that expand opportunities for players around the world.
Sources for these rankings are issued by FIFA and reflect the latest assessments at year-end. The numbers capture not only wins and losses but also the consistency and quality of performance across friendlies, continental championships, and major global events. These insights help fans, analysts, and federations gauge momentum and plan for the next seasons, including qualification campaigns and Olympic aspirations. (Source: FIFA rankings, December 2023 information.)