Matildas FALL in ‘fraudulent’ FIFA world rankings despite run to the semifinals at the FIFA Women’s World Cup that created Australian history
They may have captured the hearts of a country, but the Matildas have dropped one place in the latest FIFA rankings after the Women’s World Cup.
A magnificent late-tournament surge, record viewing figures and unprecedented media interest did not count towards the updated World Board rankings as the Matildas slipped out of the world’s top 10 for the first time in 2023.
After starting the World Cup in 10th – and despite reaching the semi-finals of the global showpiece for the first time – Sam Kerr and company are now 11th.
It left pundits and fans alike amazed at how the ranking works and how the Matildas could lose ground despite making World Cup history and finishing in the last four countries of the world.
The Matildas have fallen to 11th in the world despite reaching the semi-finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand
Optus Sport presenter Michelle Escobar tweeted: ‘Matildas reaches a historic semi-final place and falls from 10th to 11th in the FIFA rankings. WHAT?!’
AAP journalist Anna Harrington wrote, “In case you need further proof, these rankings are fraudulent… A #FIFAWWC semifinal will see the #Matildas drop from 10th to 11th (Japan jumps to the top 10) among those of Brazil, Germany and Canada who made group stage exits.’
“The FIFA rankings have always been weird,” replied a Matildas fan.
So Japan only makes the top 8, but they jump past the Matildas and get 8th and the Matildas finish 4th and they drop one place. Sure, that makes sense,” added another.
“Just having ‘no negative points for knockout round losses’ would dramatically improve the situation,” another suggested.
Matildas fans were shocked and disappointed by FIFA’s ranking system that failed to reward Australia for reaching the last four
While the Matildas may be number 1 in the eyes of Australian supporters, their ranking was caused by a range of factors, including consecutive losses to exit the tournament.
Regardless of the FIFA rankings, the Matildas made Australia proud and inspired more young girls and women to take up the sport
However, there were plenty of supporters who said the formula made sense and argued that it was a mathematical formula that Matildas fans should just accept.
“Australia benefiting from France’s injury-ravaged squad and making it to the semi-finals doesn’t mean they need to move up the ratings. The formula is based on consistent performance over time,” said one fan.
“It’s a mathematical formula,” another commented.
France is counted as a draw. While Australia hosted, they actually lost points,” explained another.
A country’s ranking is calculated using a variety of criteria, including results, location, the importance of the match, and the world ranking difference between the competing teams.
A group stage loss to Nigeria was a major contributor to the relegation of the Matildas ranking, while a semi-final defeat to England and a third-place play-off loss to Sweden were also factors.
The fact that all Matildas games were classified as home games also worked against them, as they carried less weight than games played at away or neutral venues.
In turn, Spain may have lifted the trophy after last weekend’s 1-0 win over England, but they are not – officially at least – the best team in the world.
Despite winning the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Spain did not claim first place in the ranking
Sweden, who beat Australia in third place at the World Cup, claimed the top spot from the US
That honor goes to Sweden, third place in the playoffs from Matildas, who replaces the United States at the top of the table – the first time in more than six years that the US has not occupied pole position.
Germany is the only other team ever to be formally ranked No. 1 in the world rankings in women’s football by FIFA.
The USA, which has been ranked No. 1 since June 2017 and won consecutive World Cups in 2015 and 2019, is dropping out of the top two for the first time since the rankings were introduced in 2003.
Spain climbs from sixth to second, pushing the US into third, while runners-up England and quarter-finalists France remain fourth and fifth respectively.
Japan (eighth) has returned to the top 10 after a run to the quarter-finals, while tournament co-host New Zealand remain in 26th place after exiting the group stage.
World Cup debutants Morocco were the biggest climbers, jumping 14 places to 58th place.