The Spanish women's national team leads the FIFA ranking in 2026
The women's national football team starts the year 2026 in the first position of the world ranking published by FIFA. This historic moment comes after the team completes a cycle with exceptional sporting results. Last week, the team lifted the Nations League trophy, a success that adds to the continental runner-up achieved the previous summer. These triumphs allow Spain to surpass other traditional powerhouses and reach the top. ⚽🏆
The path to climb to the world number one
The International Football Federation Association updates its ranking periodically through a system that scores official matches. The Spanish national team accumulated a decisive amount of points after winning the latest edition of the Nations League, a tournament that brings together the best European nations. This title, added to the second place in the 2025 European Championship, provided the final boost to dethrone the previous leader. The ranking thus evidences the team's sustained performance in recent years.
Key factors in the rise:- Victory in the Women's Nations League, competing against Europe's best.
- Runner-up in the 2025 Women's European Championship held in Switzerland.
- Consistent scoring in the FIFA calculation system for official matches.
The hardest part won't be reaching the top, but explaining how to come down from there without anyone getting angry.
The current moment of women's football in Spain
Achieving leadership in the FIFA ranking is framed within a phase of maturity for this discipline in the country. The structure of domestic leagues and work in youth categories are beginning to show their benefits at the level of the senior national team. Reaching number one is a recognition of collective effort, although the team's primary goal remains competing and winning in the tournaments played on the field. The next major challenge will be preparing to defend the world title won in 2023.
Elements of the sporting context:- Consolidation of the training structure and women's national leagues.
- International recognition of the work done by players, technical staff, and federation.
- Focus on the next big goal: defending the World Championship.
Looking towards the immediate future
The pressure to maintain performance at the top will undoubtedly be greater. This milestone is not an endpoint, but a new starting point that confirms the solidity of the project. The team must now manage the status of favorite and face upcoming challenges with the same ambition. Leadership in the ranking is a reflection of the present, but the true legacy is built on the playing fields in the coming years. 🥇