Emma Hayes Guides USWNT to Top of FIFA Rankings

ZURICH (AP) — The U.S. women’s national soccer team (USWNT) has ascended back to the top of the FIFA world rankings following their gold medal victory at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The team secured their fifth Olympic gold, defeating Brazil 1-0 in the final, marking their first Olympic triumph since the 2012 London Games. This victory propelled the U.S. from fifth place to reclaim the number one spot, ending a 12-month absence from the top. In the latest rankings, England has moved up to second place, overtaking Spain, which has dropped to third after a disappointing fourth-place finish at the Olympics. Germany remains in fourth, while Sweden rounds out the top five. Brazil has climbed to eighth, while France experienced the most significant decline, plummeting from second to tenth after a quarterfinal exit against Brazil. The USWNT's return to the top comes under the leadership of new head coach Emma Hayes, who has been at the helm for just 12 weeks. The team’s previous drop in rankings was attributed to a last-16 exit at the 2023 World Cup, marking their lowest position since the rankings began in 2003. The U.S. has now reclaimed their status as the top-ranked team after a series of competitive victories, including two wins over Germany. Looking ahead, the top two teams, the U.S. and England, are set to face off in a friendly match at Wembley Stadium on November 30, a highly anticipated rematch following their previous encounter in 2022.