The Canadian women, despite an Olympic spying scandal that cost the team its coach and a six-point penalty, have climbed two spots to No. 6 in the latest FIFA world rankings.

Canada, which went to Paris as the defending Olympic champion, was rewarded for its on-field performance, posting wins over France, New Zealand and Colombia to survive the point deduction and make it to the knockout round where it lost a penalty shootout to Germany in the quarterfinals.

FIFA subsequently barred coach Bev Priestman and two members of her staff from football for a year. Canada Soccer has initiated an independent review into the scandal.

Canada’s highest-ever position was No. 4, a ranking it last held in March 2018.

The U.S., which won Olympic gold in Paris, climbed four spots to return to No. 1 after a year’s absence.

England, which was not part of the Olympic competition, moved up one spot to No. 2 at the expense of former No. 1 Spain, which fell to third after losing to Brazil in the semifinals and Germany in the bronze-medal match. The Germans remained No. 4 in the new rankings.

Sweden moved up one spot to No. 5, followed by Canada, Japan (unchanged at No. 7) and Olympic silver medallist Brazil, up one at No. 8. North Korea climbed one place to No. 9 while France plummeted eight spots to No. 10.

The French find themselves in their lowest ranking position since September 2019 after losing to Brazil in the Olympic quarterfinals and being beaten by Ireland in the lead-up to the Games.

Colombia and New Zealand, Canada’s other group opponents at the Olympics, went different ways in the new rankings. Colombia moved up one spot to a career-high No. 21 while New Zealand fell three places to No. 31.

Mexico, ranked third in CONCACAF behind the U.S. and Canada, fell one rung to No. 30.

Five other teams have achieved their highest-ever rankings: Iceland (No. 13), Zambia (No. 62), Solomon Islands (No 86), Cabo Verde (No. 130) and Central African Republic (No. 144).

Liechtenstein debuts in the rankings at No. 187 after drawing and losing to Namibia (1-1 and 2-0), bringing the total number of teams in the ranking to a record 194.

The Canadian Women’s Soccer Team has made headlines recently after their impressive rise to No. 6 in the FIFA rankings following a controversial Olympics. The team’s success at the Tokyo Games has been met with both praise and criticism, but one thing is for certain – they have proven themselves to be a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.

The Canadian Women’s Soccer Team’s journey to the top of the rankings began at the Tokyo Olympics, where they faced off against some of the best teams in the world. Despite facing tough competition, including a heartbreaking loss to Sweden in the gold medal match, the team’s performance was nothing short of exceptional. Led by captain Christine Sinclair, who became the all-time leading goal scorer in international soccer during the tournament, the team showcased their skill, determination, and resilience throughout the games.

However, it was not just their on-field performance that garnered attention. The team also found themselves at the center of controversy following a controversial penalty call in their semifinal match against the United States. The call, which resulted in a penalty kick for Canada and ultimately led to their victory over the US, sparked debate and criticism from fans and analysts alike. Despite the controversy, the team remained focused and determined, ultimately earning a silver medal at the Games.

The Canadian Women’s Soccer Team’s rise to No. 6 in the FIFA rankings is a testament to their hard work and dedication. Their success at the Olympics has solidified their place among the top teams in the world, and they are now considered a serious contender for future international competitions. With a talented roster of players and a strong leadership core, the team is poised to continue their upward trajectory and make even more waves in the world of women’s soccer.

As they celebrate their recent success and look towards the future, the Canadian Women’s Soccer Team can be proud of how far they have come. Their rise to No. 6 in the FIFA rankings is a testament to their skill, determination, and resilience, and serves as a reminder of their potential to achieve even greater heights in the years to come.