USWNT stays at No. 1 in the year-end FIFA rankings

By: James Robson, The Associated Press Posted: 5:13 AM CST Friday, Dec. 13, 2024

The United States women's national team ended the year as No. 1 in the FIFA rankings.

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The United States women's national team ended the year as No. 1 in the FIFA rankings.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/12/2024 (662 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The United States women’s national team ended the year as No. 1 in the FIFA rankings.

Emma Hayes’ team won gold at the Paris Olympics to mark its turnaround in form after its reign as world champion ended last year and Spain established itself as the dominant force in women’s soccer.

The U.S.’s triumph in France — beating Brazil 1-0 in the final — saw it climb four places to top the FIFA rankings in August. And it maintained top spot in the final rankings of the year, which were released Friday.

FILE - From left; United States' Naomi Girma, Trinity Rodman, Crystal Dunn, Mallory Swanson and Sophia Smith listen to the national anthem ahead of a women's Group B soccer match between Australia and the United States, at the Marseille Stadium during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 31, 2024, in Marseille, France. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole, File)

World champion Spain was top at the start of the year, but dropped to third after losing the bronze medal match at the Olympics. It is up to second in the latest rankings.

European champion England is down to fourth from second. Olympic bronze medal winner Germany is third.

The U.S. has dominated women’s soccer, winning four World Cups and five Olympic golds.

But was eliminated in the round of 16 from last year’s World Cup when knocked out by Sweden.

Hayes, who won 15 major trophies with Chelsea, including seven Women’s Super League titles, took over as U.S. coach in May and quickly delivered a tournament triumph at the Paris Games.

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James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer