Qualification for FIFA Women's World Cup 2011(tm) under way

There was little movement in the latest edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking, with the USA leading the table at the year's end for the second time in a row, followed by world and European champions Germany and Brazil. The only change in the top ten is to positions nine and ten, where France and Denmark have swapped places. Front-runners the USA extended their lead to 61 points thanks to their 1-0 friendly win over arch-rivals Germany.

In all, 93 matches were taken into account in the latest ranking, just over half of which were part of the FIFA Women's World Cup Germany 2011(tm) qualifying campaign, which is well under way in Europe in particular. There has also been plenty of action in South America and Asia. Thanks to their participation in the Bolivarian Games in Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Ecuador and Bolivia have re-entered the World Ranking following a long absence, as have Egypt. Regrettably, however, no fewer than 14 teams, including ten from Africa, have slipped out of the ranking because they have not played a competitive match for over 18 months. As a result, the latest ranking features 91 teams, eight fewer than the September edition.

The Algarve Cup being held in Portugal at the end of February usually leads to changes in the Women's World Ranking. Five teams from the top ten will be competing in the 2010 edition, including the leading duo the USA and Germany.

NOTE: The next FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking will be published on 12 March 2010.

Headlines for December