World champions Spain strengthen grip on top spot in FIFA women's rankings as Denmark return to top ten
World champions Spain have strengthened their hold on the top spot in the FIFA women's rankings. In the updated rankings published after the latest international break, the Spanish side has widened its gap over the United States in second place.
In the latest international schedule, Spain faced the United States on American soil. The results of the two-match series consolidated their position at the top of the rankings.
On October 10 in Washington, DC, Spain won the first match 2-0. Beating the United States on their home ground gave the world champions a major advantage in ranking points.
Then, on October 13 in Chester, Pennsylvania, the second match ended in a 2-2 draw. Spain finished the series unbeaten, and that was enough to extend their lead at the top.
In the updated list, the top five after Spain and the United States are, in order, Germany, England and Japan. There has been no major change at the top end among the big teams.
France, Brazil, Sweden and Canada occupy places six to nine. Those teams have also held on to their positions in the latest list.
The only change in the top ten involves Denmark. The team has climbed two places to tenth.
Denmark's return is also historic. This is the first time since August 2010 that they have made the top ten of the women's rankings.
Denmark's rise has pushed the Netherlands down to 11th and North Korea to 12th. Although they have dropped out of the top ten, both teams remain close to the top group.
The biggest progress in the latest rankings belongs to Malawi. Climbing 49 places, the team now stands 104th, the largest leap in this update.
This list shows stability at the top alongside big movements further down side by side. Although there was no change in the top five, Malawi's 49-place rise and Egypt's 14-place fall show that the big changes in the rankings happened mainly in the lower part of the list.
For Spain, the most reassuring part of this update is returning from the United States' home ground with one win and one draw. A result like that against a direct rival is what did the most to widen the gap at the top.
Egypt, by contrast, fell the most. Down 14 places, they now stand 113th.
Overall, the updated rankings show Spain's dominance at the top of women's football growing firmer, while Denmark's return to the top ten is the most notable change in this list. How long this order lasts will depend on the results of the next international break.
