By: Gabrielle Nordstrom
Edited By: Kylie Augis
With the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup, let’s take a look at the top five teams coming into the tournament.
At number one, it is no other than the United States of America. The USWNT has been ranked number one since 2014. In 2014, they were ranked number two, but in the years before that they were number one. Their lowest ever ranking has been number two overall. The United States has always been a powerhouse for women’s soccer. They will be defending back-to-back champions, looking to bring home their fifth world cup trophy. As usual, the USWNT are the expected champions.
Courtesy of Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images
At number two is Germany. Just like the USA, Germany has been consistent with their ranking. Almost every year they have come in at number two, besides in 2014 when they were ranked number one and in 2021 they ranked third. Their lowest ranking has been number five. They have won the tournament twice, in 2003 and 2007. Germany will play in Group F, where they should easily be moving on.
Courtesy of Philippe Huguen/AFP/Getty Images
Sweden is ranked at third. Sweden has bounced around the rankings in the past few years. Their highest recently, 2021, was second overall. But, a few years before that they ranked ninth in 2018 and 10th in 2017. They have made insane progress over the last few years and proven to be another team that many want to beat. Sweden will be playing in Group G against South Africa, Italy and Argentina.
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Another team that has steadily made their way up the charts is England. Coming in at fourth overall, England has proven they are a good team. Going from 15th overall in 2017 to fifth overall in 2018 put them back on everyone's radar. Since 2018, they have bounced back and forth between fifth overall and fourth overall. England will be playing in Group D against China PR, Haiti and Denmark. Courtesy of Michael Cox and Thom Harris
Fifth overall is France. This team has been one of the more solid, consistent teams. Their lowest ranking was 10th overall and their highest was third in 2018. France mostly bounces between third, fourth and fifth overall. It will be interesting to see how France does in Group F. They will be playing Jamaica, Panama and Brazil. Brazil is always one of the favorites because of super star Marta, so this game will be a fun one to watch as two of the top ten teams face each other.
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The World Cup begins on July 20. They will begin with the group stages and then move onto the elimination rounds.
Will the USWNT continue their dominance in women’s soccer or will one of these other teams take the trophy home with them. Or, will there be an underdog no one is expecting?
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