For over five years, the United States Women’s National Team has been the No. 1 team in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings and the USWNT has never been ranked lower than No. 2 in the entire history of the team and the rankings. But all of that changed in the most recent edition of the rankings.
On Friday, FIFA released the newest FIFA Women’s World Rankings, and not only was the United States not at the top of the list, but they weren’t even at No. 2, either.
Sweden – who eliminated the United States from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in a penalty shootout – took the No. 1 spot in the new world rankings. Meanwhile, Spain – who defeated England 1-0 in the final to win the World Cup – takes the No. 2 ranking. The United States is ranked No. 3.
🥇 A new No. 1 🇸🇪
🏆 The World Cup Champs jump from No. 6 to No. 2 🇪🇸
📉 USWNT fall out of the top two for the first time ever 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/mwVAsPxncf— Attacking Third (@AttackingThird) August 25, 2023
This marks the first time the United States Women’s National Team has been ranked outside of the top spot since 2017 and makes the lowest ranking ever for the USWNT. As a result, it led to plenty of reactions on social media.
USWNT shouldn’t be in the top five after that embarrassing showing in the WC.
— Patrick (@ColoradoDonkeys) August 25, 2023
The rankings have never meant much, especially in the womens game. But still symbolic of how far we've fallen after this tournament 😔😔😔 https://t.co/FNmojDGYvo
— Steven 🇺🇲 (@andreste1589) August 25, 2023
this stat is kind of crazy cause on what earth is being ranked 3rd in the world a negative thing for a team😭 https://t.co/dNZfB4dGXG
— kenz (@ghostfaceishoh) August 25, 2023
oh dear https://t.co/mevGK1omOO
— n (@davidsonfc) August 25, 2023
Not us dropping ranking to #3 for the first time 😭 Vlatko gotta pay for his crimes 😫 https://t.co/VagXlsKfIn
— AyanaMonique (@AyanaMonique) August 25, 2023
oh wow https://t.co/rAKqwOJQUc
— katia (@daylightrogers) August 25, 2023
This fall in the rankings comes after the United States was eliminated from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in the round of 16 – the earliest the team has ever been eliminated from the tournament.
