Despite Portugal not making it past the group stage, the team managed a victory, against Vietnam (2-0), and a draw, against the then two-time world champions United States (0- 0).

In relation to the ranking released in June, Portugal has now risen two places, from 21st, which was already its best record, to 19th.

The big news is the change in the leadership of the hierarchy in women's football, with the surprising elimination of the Americans in the group stages.


The new FIFA podium is formed by Sweden (2,069 points), followed by the unprecedented world champions Spain (2,051) and the former leaders United States (2,051), while the European champions and World Cup runners-up, England, remain in fourth place (2030).

Other changes brought about by the World Cup in the top-10 were the drops of Germany, from second to sixth, Brazil, from eighth to ninth, and Canada, from seventh to 10th, while the Netherlands rose from ninth to seventh position, and Japan from 11th to eighth.