Belgium’s women’s football team has dropped from 19th to 20th place in the FIFA rankings released on Thursday, while the United States remains in the lead.
Since the last FIFA ranking on 13 December, significant changes have occurred for the Red Flames. Coach Ives Serneels was surprisingly dismissed in mid-January after guiding the team to their third consecutive European Championship. The Belgian FA appointed Iceland’s Elisabet Gunnarsdottir as his successor.
The team played their first two matches under Gunnarsdottir in late February during the Nations League group stage. In her debut, Belgium narrowly missed a stunning result, losing 3-2 to world champions Spain after conceding two injury-time goals. They also lost 0-1 to Portugal in Leuven.
Their next challenge is a doubleheader against England on 4 and 8 April. The group stage ends with matches at home against Spain on 30 May and away at Portugal on 3 June.
In July, the team will compete in the European Championship in Switzerland, facing tough group opponents Spain (FIFA 2), Portugal (FIFA 22), and Italy (FIFA 14).
There were no changes in the top four of the FIFA rankings. The US remains first, followed by Spain, Germany, and England. Japan has moved up three places to fifth. The next rankings will be released on 12 June.
The highest position the Red Flames have achieved in the FIFA rankings was 17th place in 2019 and 2020.
