Historic powerhouse back to No. 1 in FIFA world rankings

Before this summer’s Olympics, the Americans were at their lowest, literally. FIFA had the USA at No. 5, its worst-ever ranking. Anything other than first is a disappointment for the pinnacle of global women’s soccer, but the team only had itself to blame.

Settling for bronze in the 2020 Olympics and a quarterfinal exit in last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup allowed energized, in-form European squads to overtake the red, white and blue. A new head coach and a major tournament this summer gave the USWNT a chance to prove it belonged back on top. 

The Americans won their ninth major tournament with a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics and, subsequently, are back at No. 1 in Friday’s FIFA world rankings. Their fifth Olympic medal and first since 2012 symbolizes the beginning of yet another dominant era.

The squad rebounded from its most vulnerable period ever despite being under the leadership of new head coach Emma Hayes for only three months. The next major tournament isn’t until the 2027 World Cup, giving Hayes time to round out her squad and integrate the tactics that won her sixteen titles with Chelsea.

The dynamic and dangerous front-line trio of Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson are only an average age of 24 years old. The “Triple Espresso” combined for 10 of the USWNT’s 12 goals at this summer’s Olympics. On the other side of the ball, Hayes called 24-year-old center back and vice captain Naomi Girma the “best defender (she’s) ever seen.” These young superstars are the hallmark of Hayes’ long-term vision.

The new World Rankings make for an intriguing battle at the top. Former No. 1 and 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup winner Spain disappointingly left Paris without a medal, and former No. 2 and Olympic host France lost in the quarterfinals to eventual silver-medalist Brazil. Consequently, England moved up a spot to No. 2, even after Great Britain failed to qualify for this summer’s tournament.

The English, winners of the 2022 Euros and the 2023 World Cup runner-ups, are the Americans’ greatest threat in the Emma Hayes era. Seven out of the last nine games between the two sides were determined by one goal or less, with their most recent clash a 0-0 draw at Wembley Stadium in October of 2022.

Hayes returns home to England when the two face off at Wembley again on Nov. 30, 2024.