Canada WNT jumps 25 points, two spots on world ranking

Canada has gained 25 points and two spots up to seventh overall in the most recent FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking published on 23 December 2011. Canada by far made the biggest jump of any top-10 nation, with only France (eight points) and Korea DPR (three points) also gaining points amongst top-10 nations in the final quarter of 2011. Brazil made the biggest drop (28 points) and has thus fallen from third to fourth overall behind Japan (no change in points).

The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Rankings looks at each country’s international results from the last four years. The ranking takes into account the result, the importance of the match, the strength of the opponent, the regional strength, the time period, and the number of matches per year. The ranking comes out four times a year.

In October, Canada posted three wins and two draws at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. Canada’s two draws came against Brazil, although Canada captured gold after winning on kicks from the penalty mark in the women’s championship final. In November, Canada posted a notable 2:1 victory over fifth-ranked Sweden. Behind Brazil, Sweden (loss of 12 points) had the next biggest drop amongst top-10 nations.

At the top of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Rankings, USA, Germany and FIFA Women’s World Cup champion Japan hold the top three spots. The rest of the top-10 features Brazil, Sweden, France, Canada, England, Korea DPR and Australia.

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD RANKING
1. USA 2148 points
2. Germany 2143
3. Japan 2106
4. Brazil 2093
5. Sweden 2073
6. France 1990
7. Canada 1989
8. England 1983
9. Korea DPR 1967
10. Australia 1956
See the full FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking

www.flickr.com/CanadaSoccer canadasoccer’s 2011_canWNT photoset