Portugal Women’s Team Drops to 22nd in Latest FIFA Rankings
The Portuguese women’s national football team has slipped one spot to 22nd in the latest FIFA world rankings. The “Equipa das Quinas” saw their position dented following a recent 3-1 defeat against Finland during the final stretch of the first qualifying phase for the 2027 World Cup.
Mixed Results on the Road to Brazil
Despite the setback in Finland—Portugal’s only loss of the qualifying phase—Francisco Neto’s side has plenty of reasons for optimism. Prior to the loss, the team dominated Latvia with a clinical 5-0 home victory.
These performances were enough to secure the top spot in Group B3, earning Portugal promotion to the first division of the Nations League. More importantly, the team has already guaranteed its place in the play-offs for the 2027 World Cup, set to be hosted in Brazil.
Historical Context
Portugal’s current global standing remains close to its historical peak. The team reached its highest-ever FIFA ranking of 19th in August 2023, a milestone achieved following an impressive debut performance at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Spain Remains the Team to Beat
At the top of the ladder, reigning world champions Spain continue to hold the number one position, followed closely by the United States. Germany has climbed the ranks to reclaim third place, overtaking England, while France moved up to sixth, leapfrogging Brazil.
Portuguese-Speaking Nations in the Rankings
The updated rankings also shed light on other Lusophone nations. Cape Verde leads the remaining group at 120th, followed by Angola (155th), Timor-Leste (158th), and Mozambique (173rd). Macau and Guinea-Bissau round out the list at 176th and 177th, respectively.
Image: Pexels – Omar Ramadan
