Frank Christian
The women’s soccer tournament at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics will showcase teams from various nations competing between July 25 and August 10, 2024.
Football has been an integral part of the Olympics since its debut in the 1900 Paris Games, with women’s soccer joining the program in 1996 in Atlanta, evolving into a significant aspect of the Olympic tradition.
The US Women’s National Team, coached by Emma Hayes, is aiming to reclaim gold, facing tough competition from countries like Germany and Australia in the group stage. Other strong contenders include France, Canada, Brazil, Spain, and Japan.
Spain, currently the top-ranked team by FIFA, adds to the anticipation of competitive matches in the upcoming tournament.
Women’s Olympics Soccer Teams and FIFA Rankings
Spain’s triumph in the 2023 Women’s World Cup catapulted them to the top of FIFA’s rankings, overtaking France placed second.
Among the competitive nations in women’s Olympics soccer, USA, France, Germany Brazil, Canada, and Japan are also positioned in FIFA’s top 10.
Teams in Women’s Olympics Soccer and their FIFA Rankings
| Team | FIFA Ranking |
|---|---|
| Spain | 1 |
| France | 2 |
| Germany | 3 |
| USA | 5 |
| Japan | 7 |
| Canada | 8 |
| Brazil | 9 |
| Australia | 12 |
| Colombia | 22 |
| New Zealand | 28 |
| Nigeria | 36 |
| Zambia | 64 |
Success of Top-Ranked Teams in Women’s Olympic Soccer
Since 1996, prominent teams have showcased their talent in women’s Olympic soccer. The United States has been dominant, winning gold in several editions. Germany and Canada also claimed victory in recent years.
Although FIFA rankings began in 2003, the top-ranked team winning gold has occurred twice at five tournaments.
| Tournament | Top Ranked Team | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Athens 2004 | Germany | United States |
| Beijing 2008 | United States | United States |
| London 2012 | United States | United States |
| Rio 2016 | United States | Germany |
| Tokyo 2020 | United States | Canada |
Calculation of FIFA Rankings
FIFA rankings for women’s soccer are determined through a points-based system assessing team performance in international matches.
- Points System: Teams start with a base number of points that can change based on match outcomes.
- Match Result Impact: Points gained or lost reflect match results, with wins contributing more than draws or losses.
- Opponent Strength: Beating higher-ranked teams earns more points.
- Match Importance: Different matches have varied significance, with World Cup matches carrying more weight.
- Time Decay: Points diminish over time, encouraging consistent high performance.
Example Calculation:
If Team A (ranked 3rd) beats Team B (ranked 15th), their points get adjusted accordingly based on the match result.
Update of FIFA Rankings
FIFA rankings are revised after international matches and are typically updated multiple times annually following the FIFA calendar. The most recent update occurred in June 2024.
