The U.S. women’s national team has started 2025 in the same way that it ended 2024.
Emma Hayes’ squad remained No. 1 in the first FIFA Women’s Rankings of the new year, FIFA announced Thursday. After dropping to No. 5 last June, the Americans have since reclaimed the top spot and continued to hold it for the past two ranking lists.
The Americans finished second in the annual SheBelieves Cup after losing 2-1 to Japan on February 25. Despite defeating Colombia 2-0 and Australia 2-1, the USWNT did not repeat as tournament winners.
The loss to Japan was the program’s first since Hayes took over as head coach.
The USWNT returns to action this spring when Brazil opposes them for a pair of friendlies in April. U.S. Soccer also recently announced that the Americans will take on China PR on May 31 and June 3 respectively.
Spain, Germany, and England round out the top four while Japan jumped up to No. 5 after winning the SheBelieves Cup.
Sweden, Canada, Brazil, North Korea, and the Netherlands round out the Top-10.
Seems pretty fair to still be ranked one considering the SheB tourney was pretty much running new unproven players out with little cohesion.
Spains biggest advantage is Bonmati running the show. She has an engine that can control the game USWNT saw a similar player in Japans Hasagewa Swanson can take over but not as box to box as both those players.
By the way Sophia Wilson is out this year for the Thorns and USWNT because she is pregnant
Is there any comparison of the status of the USWNT to the men’s national teams of the 30’s and 50’s? Uruguay and Italy won the first 4 WC – separated by WWII. Brazil finally won in 58, 62 and then 70. Italy suffered the SuperGa crash and may have continued to be the best national team into 50’s had it not been for that tragedy.
Is there a way to compare?
Currently, are we better than Spain?
They did have a “poor” Olympics 2-1-2, drawing with Colombia, losing to Brazil and Germany. Also, lost to England last window.