Canada Placed 12th In FIFA Rankings

Ottawa, Ontario – The Canadian Women’s World Cup Team were today placed in 12th in the world in the first edition of the FIFA Women’s World Rankings, announced today by FIFA at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.



FIFA has ranked men’s national teams for ten years, but unveiled its first women’s rankings today to coincide with the Final Draw for the FIFA Women’s World Cup USA 2003, being held tomorrow in Los Angeles at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., at 11 a.m. PT.



USA were placed in the top spot followed by reigning Olympic champion Norway and European champion Germany, with 2007 Women’s World Cup host China in fourth place. A resurgent Sweden is ranked fifth, followed by South American champion Brazil and Asian champion North Korea.



The World Ranking is determined on the basis of a performance rating that takes into account numerous factors such as results, home advantage, importance of each match and the difference in the strength of the two teams involved. Calculated and managed by FIFA in collaboration with international sports information provider Infostrada Sports, the ranking will appear four times each year. The next FIFA Women’s World Ranking will be published on August 29, 2003.



The inaugural ranking was calculated using a comprehensive database of over 3,000 matches played between 1971 and the present. FIFA has high hopes that the FIFA Women’s World Ranking will spark further interest in the sport, while also providing an accurate yardstick for comparing the 100+ national teams that are currently active and a starting point for statistical analysis of women’s football.



In 2001, FIFA conducted a study indicating that 22 million active women are playing soccer worldwide. Ninety-nine teams participated in the recently completed preliminary rounds of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, more than twice the number that took part in the qualifiers for the first FIFA Women’s World Cup in China 12 years ago. Following are the top-10 countries in the first-ever FIFA Women’s World Rankings as well as the rankings of all 16 teams that will participate in the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup.



FIFA Women’s World Rankings:

Ranking Country Points

1. USA 2169

2. Norway 2159

3. Germany 2152

4. China 2110

5. Sweden 2073

6. Brazil 2036

7. North Korea 2004

8. Denmark* 1967

9. France 1963

10. Italy * 1943

11. Russia 1899

12. Canada 1867

14. Japan 1850

15. Australia 1839

23. Nigeria 1738

24. South Korea 1727

35. Argentina 1624

53. Ghana 1458



Note: Denmark and Italy are the only two teams on the above list not participating in 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup.