At the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, the women's soccer tournament will feature teams from around the world, competing from July 25 to August 10, 2024.
This event continues football's rich history in the Olympics, which began at the 1900 Paris Games, with the exception of the 1932 Los Angeles Games.
Women's soccer became part of the Olympic program in 1996 in Atlanta and has since grown into a key event of the Games. The USA has been particularly successful, winning gold medals in Atlanta, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, and London 2012. Canada is the reigning champion, having won gold at Tokyo 2020.
As the Paris 2024 Games get underway, the US Women’s National Team, now under the leadership of new head coach Emma Hayes, aim to reclaim the gold medal. They face strong competition in a challenging group stage that includes formidable teams such as Germany and Australia. Host nation France, along with Canada, Brazil, Spain, and Japan, are also strong contenders for the top honors.
Spain, currently the top-ranked team according to FIFA, is expected to be a leading contender, adding to the excitement and anticipation of thrilling matches ahead.
Which teams are in women's Olympics soccer tournament? Qualified nations and FIFA ranking
Spain's victory in the 2023 Women's World Cup propelled them to the top of FIFA's rankings, surpassing France, who sit in second place.
Among the teams competing in the women's Olympics soccer tournament, USA, France, Germany Brazil, Canada, and Japan also ranks within FIFA's top 10.
Teams in women's Olympics soccer tournament and FIFA ranking
| Team | FIFA Ranking |
|---|---|
| Spain | 1 |
| France | 2 |
| Germany | 3 |
| USA | 5 |
| Japan | 7 |
| Canada | 8 |
| Brazil | 9 |
| Australia | 12 |
| Colombia | 22 |
| New Zealand | 28 |
| Nigeria | 36 |
| Zambia | 64 |
How often has the top-ranked team won gold in women's Olympic soccer?
Since women's soccer joined the Olympic program in 1996 at the Atlanta Games, it has showcased some of the world's best talents. The United States have been particularly dominant, securing gold medals in Atlanta, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, and London 2012. Germany triumphed at Rio 2016, and Canada claimed victory most recently at Tokyo 2020.
The FIFA rankings for the women's team came into existence in 2003, so the question of how often the top-ranked side went on to win gold is a little skewed. However, it has still happened only twice at five tournaments.
| Tournament | World's Top Ranked Team Before Tournament | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Athens 2004 | Germany | United States |
| Beijing 2008 | United States | United States |
| London 2012 | United States | United States |
| 2016 Rio 2016 | United States | Germany |
| Tokyo 2020 | United States | Canada |
How are FIFA rankings calculated?
FIFA rankings for women's soccer are calculated using a points-based system that evaluates team performance in international matches. Here's how it works:
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Points System: Each team starts with a base number of points, which can increase or decrease based on match results.
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Match Result Impact: The points gained or lost depend on whether a team wins, loses, or draws a match. Wins earn more points than draws, and losses result in a deduction of points.
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Opponent Strength: The strength of the opponent also affects the points gained or lost. Beating a higher-ranked team yields more points than defeating a lower-ranked one.
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Match Importance: Different matches carry varying weights. For example, World Cup matches carry more weight than friendly matches.
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Time Decay: Points earned from matches diminish over time, encouraging teams to consistently perform well to maintain or improve their ranking.
Example Calculation:
Let's say Team A, ranked 3rd, plays a match against Team B, ranked 15th.
- Before the match, Team A has 2000 points.
- Team B has 1800 points.
If Team A wins the match:
- Team A might earn 20 points for defeating a team ranked lower (hypothetical example).
The new points for Team A:
- 2000 (original points) + 20 (points earned from the match) = 2020 points.
For Team B:
- Points may decrease, depending on the loss.
This system ensures that teams are ranked based on recent performance against competitive opponents, providing a snapshot of their standing in international women's soccer.
When are FIFA rankings updated?
FIFA rankings are refreshed following each recognised international window and are typically updated multiple times annually in line with the FIFA calendar.
The most recent update occurred in June 2024.