FIFA rankings: Super Falcons climb eight places, now 32nd in the world

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have climbed eight places from 40th to 32nd in the world in the latest rankings released by FIFA on Friday.

This latest development can be attributed to their outstanding performance at the 2023 FIFA women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Despite being ranked the lowest in Group B, the Super Falcons finished second in a group that had co-hosts Australia, Olympic Champions Canada and the Republic of Ireland.

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World Cup winners Spain are now second in the world (up 4 places). Meanwhile, Sweden are top of the women’s rankings for the first time ever (1st, up 2 places). The Swedes usurp the United States who have now dropped to third (down 2 places).

Sweden eliminated the Americans in the round of 16 before being knocked out in the semi-finals of the World Cup. However they beat Australia in the third place match.

Australia drop; South Africa, Morocco, Zambia rise

The Matildas dropped a place to 11th spot. Quarter-finalists Japan moved up three places to occupy the 8th position.

Germany, who were second are now 6th while the Netherlands have been positioned in the 7th spot. Canada dropped three places to sit in the 10th position.

Tournament debutants Morocco reached the Round of 16 and have been duly rewarded with a move upwards by 14 places. The 2022 WAFCON runners-up are now 58th in the world and 4th in Africa.

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The other African participants at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 had great moves as well.

South Africa are now 45th in the world (up 9 places) while Zambia are 69th (up 8 places). Banyana Banyana and Zambia are 2nd and 7th in Africa respectively.