USA drops to fifth in latest FIFA ranking, lowest place ever

The United States women's national team dropped to fifth in the latest FIFA ranking, its lowest point since FIFA began ranking women's teams in 2003.

The drop is one point lower than the fourth-place ranking given this past March as the downward direction continues.

Prior to 2024, the U.S. women had never been ranked below No. 2 in the world, but the team has now fallen three places in six months -- the most movement the USWNT has ever seen in the rankings as they head to the Paris Olympics in July.

Spain, France and England make up the top three, in that order, with women's World Cup runners-up England dropping to third. Germany overtook USWNT for the fourth-place spot.

From 2003 to 2023, the U.S. women maintained a stronghold in the top two positions, and between 2008-2014 and then from 2017 until June 2023, the team sat solidly in first place.

Former Chelsea manager Emma Hayes, who was appointed as the team's new head coach and will debut at the upcoming Olympic tournament, said there is much reason to have hope. 

"If we can perform at our best level, then we have a chance of doing things," Hayes said last month. "But we've got work to do. The realities are that the world game is where it is, and the rest of the world do not fear the USA in the way that they once did and that's valid."

The USWNT next plays two Olympic tuneups on July 13 vs. Mexico at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J., and on July 16 vs. Costa Rica at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.

They beat South Korea in a pair of friendlies earlier this month. At the SheBelieves Cup in April, the USWNT beat Japan, 2-1, and defeated Canada in a shootout. 

World Cup winners Spain remains in pole position with Canada, Brazil and  Korea DR all making the top 10, forcing the Netherlands outside of the top 10 for the first time since 2017.