England’s senior Women’s team retain their fourth place in the FIFA world rankings after the European triumph in the summer, putting them within touching distance of the top three ahead of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Before the Lionesses won the country’s first piece of silverware since 1966 they were ranked eighth - one place below Spain but one above Brazil. However, movement within the top five world rankings post-Euros has seen England leapfrog into fourth place, ahead of France who dropped two places in August, to fifth.
Currently ahead of the Lionesses are Sweden and Germany, who have been trading places throughout the year. The National Eleven solidified second place while Sweden has slotted into third and the USA continue to occupy the top spot, as they have done since 2017.
Chasing the top five is Canada, Spain and previous European champions the Netherlands in sixth, seventh and eighth place respectively.
Following the Euros, Spain's international team hit crisis point resulting in a mass exodus of players over the calling to sack manager Jorge Vilda Rodriguez. The result has seen them pushed back in the rankings as 2022 draws to a close. All eyes are now ahead to the 2023 Women’s World Cup who's hosts, Australia and New Zealand, are ranked 12th and 24th.
Heading into a World Cup year, Sarina Wiegman’s side will remain confident after capping off 2022 with a win over ranked number one side USA 2-1 and a 4-0 win over Japan in the latest bout of international friendlies, extending their unbeaten streak to 25 games.
To prepare for the tournament in July and to break into the top-three rankings, the Lionesses will be in action again in February 2023 as they host the second edition of the Arnold Clark Cup against Belgium, Italy and South Korea Republic.
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