Belgium’s Red Flames drop to 20th in FIFA world football rankings
Belgium’s women’s national football team, the Red Flames, have fallen one place to 20th in the latest FIFA world rankings, published on Thursday. The US remain in first place.
The ranking update follows a period of change for the Belgian team. In January, long-time head coach Ives Serneels was unexpectedly dismissed despite securing Belgium’s place at a third consecutive European Championship. He was replaced by Icelandic coach Elisabet Gunnarsdottir, who took charge of her first matches in February.
Under Gunnarsdottir, Belgium narrowly lost 3-2 to reigning world champions Spain, conceding two late goals in stoppage time, before suffering a 1-0 home defeat to Portugal in the UEFA Women’s Nations League.
The team’s next fixtures are a double-header against England on 4 and 8 April, followed by matches against Spain on 30 May and Portugal on 3 June.
They will then compete in a tough group at the European Championship in Switzerland this July, facing Spain, ranked second, Portugal, ranked 22nd and Italy, ranked 14th.
The top four positions in the FIFA rankings remain unchanged, with the US leading, followed by Spain, Germany and England. Japan have moved up three places to fifth. The next rankings update will beon 12 June.
The Red Flames’ highest ranking was 17th, achieved in 2019 and 2020.
Belgium's Tessa Wullaert © BELGA PHOTO VIRGINIE LEFOUR
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