Matildas Drop to Historic Low in FIFA Rankings

The Matildas, Australia's women's national soccer team, have fallen to their joint-lowest FIFA world ranking at 16th, a position last held in 2005, following poor performances in the SheBelieves Cup. Their decline is marked by defeats to Japan, the USA, and Colombia, and a lackluster showing at the 2024 Olympics. The team is grappling with the absence of star striker Sam Kerr due to injury and is currently under the interim management of Tom Sermanni, as Football Australia searches for a permanent coach following Tony Gustavsson's departure. The Matildas' downward trend comes despite their previous high of fourth in 2017 and a semi-final spot in the 2023 World Cup. With the Asian Cup approaching, urgent improvements are needed to match the success of the Socceroos in 2015. The USA remains at the top of the FIFA rankings, with Japan entering the top five following their SheBelieves Cup victory.