Spain Overtakes USA in FIFA Women’s Rankings Amid Global Shakeup and October Showdowns

Spain Takes the Crown: U.S. Knocked Off the Top in FIFA Women's Rankings

Hold on to your soccer scarves, folks—there’s been a major shakeup at the top of the FIFA Women’s World Rankings! Spain, the reigning World Cup champions, just leapfrogged the United States to claim the No. 1 spot globally. Yep, you read that right. Despite losing to England in the Euro 2025 final, Spain's overall record and consistency earned them the edge to dethrone the Stars and Stripes.

Let’s break it down and take a closer look at how this all unfolded—and what it means moving forward.

📈 Spain’s Rise to the Top: Resilience Over Perfection

Sure, Spain didn’t win every single match—but they sure looked dominant. Since the last FIFA rankings were released, La Roja put together a stellar 6-1 record, proving that their 2023 World Cup title wasn’t a one-hit wonder. Their only blemish? A nail-biting loss to England in the Euro 2025 finale via penalty kicks. That July 27th clash in Basel, Switzerland, could’ve gone either way, and FIFA clearly saw it more as a testament to Spain’s competitiveness than a setback.

And that’s kind of the story here: it’s not just about wins, it’s about performance, consistency, and context. Spain has built a deep, technically sound squad that’s thriving under pressure.

🇺🇸 Team USA: Still a Powerhouse—Just Not #1 (For Now)

Don't panic, U.S. fans. The U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) may have slipped from the No. 1 spot, but they’re far from out of the spotlight. In fact, they’ve won all three matches since the last rankings update, riding high off their gold medal finish at the 2024 Olympics.

Their spotless record in recent months hasn’t gone unnoticed, but FIFA rankings are a cumulative calculation. Spain’s Euro journey and overall workload since the last release gave them the points boost they needed. And let’s be real—USWNT’s time at the top isn’t over. It’s just a pause. A reset. A chance to reload.

🔥 Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming USWNT Matches vs Portugal

Speaking of bouncing back, the U.S. is set to face Portugal in back-to-back friendlies this October, and fans are already hyped. These two matches are more than just exhibition games—they're part of a bigger journey toward World Cup 2027 prep and qualification.

• 🗓️ Oct. 23 – Subaru Park, Chester, Pennsylvania

• 🗓️ Oct. 26 – Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Connecticut

Emma Hayes, the new USWNT head coach, is feeling optimistic yet focused. “Portugal is a growing team that will be highly motivated for these matches,” she said in a press statement. “But as always, these games are more opportunities to work on us.”

Translation? These matchups are about sharpening the blade, not just swinging it.

🎙️ Emma Hayes on the Grind: “Still Work to Do”

Hayes, who has brought fresh tactical insight and a renewed team culture to the U.S. squad, isn’t letting the recent Olympic success breed complacency.

"I'm very impressed with the progress we've made since the Olympics,” she said, “and I want to give a lot of credit to the players for embracing our culture and ideas. But our staff and the players know—we still have much work to do before World Cup qualifying next year."

And that’s what separates the good teams from the great ones. The U.S. isn’t sulking after losing their No. 1 spot—they’re getting to work.

📊 Who Else Made Moves? Global Rankings Roundup

Let’s take a global glance. Sweden made a serious leap, jumping three spots to land at No. 3. England, riding the momentum from their Euro 2025 win, locked in at No. 4. Germany rounds out the Top 5.

But the shakeups don’t stop there. Here’s the rest of the current Top 10:

1. 🇪🇸 Spain

2. 🇺🇸 United States

3. 🇸🇪 Sweden

4. 🏴 England

5. 🇩🇪 Germany

6. 🇫🇷 France (jumped four spots!)

7. 🇧🇷 Brazil

8. 🇯🇵 Japan

9. 🇨🇦 Canada

10. 🇰🇷 South Korea

Meanwhile, some surprising movement happened outside the elite ranks…

📉 📈 Biggest Movers: Bangladesh Soars, Mongolia Plummets

One of the biggest feel-good stories from the latest rankings? Bangladesh, who surged an incredible 24 spots, landing at No. 104. That’s no small feat and shows just how quickly the women’s game is growing in new regions.

On the flip side, Mongolia took a tumble, falling 22 spots down to No. 148. Growing pains, rebuilding, or something more structural? Time will tell.

But movements like these remind us how dynamic and fast-evolving the women’s international game really is.

⚔️ Next Up: Spain vs. Sweden—An Instant Classic in the Making?

Spain isn’t sitting back with that shiny No. 1 ranking—they’ve got work to do too. La Roja will take on Sweden in back-to-back UEFA Women’s Nations League games on Oct. 24 and 28. If you’re into fast-paced, high-IQ soccer, this one’s going to be a masterclass.

Both teams are riding high. Spain with their new world ranking status, and Sweden with a jump to third place. That’s the kind of head-to-head that can reshape the narrative heading into 2026.

🧠 Expert Take: What These Rankings Really Mean

It’s tempting to look at a rankings drop and panic—but context is everything. The U.S. is still the gold standard in many ways: Olympic champions, deep talent pool, elite coaching, and unmatched legacy. Spain, though, has made a compelling case as the current best.

But here’s the real takeaway: the women’s game is deeper and more competitive than ever. Nations are investing. Strategies are evolving. And every top-10 battle feels like a coin flip now. That’s great for the sport.

🗓️ Next Rankings Update: December 10

Circle your calendars because the next FIFA Women’s World Rankings drop on December 10. Between now and then, we’ve got Nations League games, friendlies, and plenty of narratives to watch.

So grab your jersey, mark those match dates, and get ready—because this isn’t just about rankings. It’s about evolution. Rivalries. Legacy. The future of the beautiful game is brighter than ever.