Ranked among the top five women's international teams worldwide.

Now that the first international break of 2025 has ended, it's time to rank the best nations in women's football.

We are at the start of a critical few years in world football, with the 2025 Women's Euro set to take place in Switzerland this summer and the 2027 World Cup in Brazil right around the corner. As the rest of the world catches up, the top teams are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain their status as elites.

This international break has been telling, with the US, Japan, and Australia competing in the SheBelieves Cup. Across the Atlantic, the European nations have begun their 2025 Nations League campaigns.

5. Sweden

Several teams deserve to be in the top five, including Canada, the 2021 Olympic champions, and Brazil, the silver medalists from last year. However, it is Sweden's consistency in major tournaments that keeps them here. Euro semi-finalists in 2022 and World Cup semi-finalists in 2023, they were beaten by the eventual champions on both occasions. That said, their last major honors was secured back in 1984, so to move further up this list, they must clinch one of world football's biggest prizes.

4. England

It's fair to say that England's record in the last two major tournaments keeps them on this list, but their recent performance has been disappointing. Being European champions and reaching the World Cup final do not happen by chance, and Sarina Wiegman is the mastermind behind this golden period. That being said, the Lionesses have a lot to prove this summer if they want to reclaim their status as Europe's best team and move up the rankings. The calibre of England's players speaks for itself, but there is still work to be done to ensure that everything works when it counts the most.

3. Germany

No team has come close to equaling Germany's record in the European Championship. Norway is the next best nation, with two trophies. While much of their respect and admiration stems from their past success, they are still demonstrating their ability to compete at the highest level. Their Euro 2022 performance was outstanding, and they narrowly missed out on a record ninth title against England at Wembley.

Their performance at the World Cup a year later was disappointing, but their recent form suggests they are back on track. Germany's victory over England at the end of last year, albeit in a friendly, marked Christian Wuck's debut as national team coach. Although their form has been inconsistent under the new coach during this transitional period, they cannot be counted out for another European title this summer.

2. Spain.

Although the current world champions have suffered a slight drop in form since their early exit from the Olympics last year, there is no denying the quality in their ranks. Aitana Bonmati remains the best player in the world, and they are unquestionably the favourites to lift the Euro trophy in July. Spain's national teams dominate both men's and women's football, and this trend is unlikely to change anytime soon.

1. United States

It's not surprising. The world's best team right now is the Olympic champions. Emma Hayes faced a significant challenge when she took over the USWNT last summer, following their disappointing performance at the 2023 World Cup, but she has quickly restored their status as the best. Whether it's the promising young talents rising through the ranks or the current generation of superstars, the USWNT is a team to be feared. Attention is slowly shifting to the 2027 World Cup, and Hayes will undoubtedly be determined to lead them to victory once more.