On December 10th, as FIFA unveiled the year-end rankings for the 2021 women's national team, the situation of China's women's soccer team once again drew attention. The ranking slipped two places to No. 19 on the overall list, not only equaling the historical low of 2012, but also failing to enter the top ten for the 15th consecutive year since 2007. In the Asian region, it was overtaken by the South Korean women's soccer team, ranking fifth.
Looking back at 2021, the impact of the epidemic was felt throughout the year, and although China's women's soccer team eventually won the Tokyo Olympics in the form of the "Olympic United Team", the national team's points didn't improve as a result. 1814.22 points still reflects the current situation of China's women's soccer team in the international arena.
The Chinese women's soccer team has gone through a drastic change in its lineup. Former head coach Jia Xiuquan left the club after his contract expired, and although the CFA initiated the selection process, it ended up appointing Shui Qingxia to take the helm. This week, the FA announced the latest training list, designed to prepare for the upcoming Asian Cup, the list of both strength veterans, but also no shortage of newcomers emerged.
The upcoming 2022 Women's Asian Cup, the Chinese women's soccer team will face three teams, Chinese Taipei, Iran and India. The strength of the opponents should not be underestimated, especially the Iranian team, ranked as high as 70th.
The U.S. women's soccer team leads the overall international rankings for the seventh consecutive year with 2,109.09 points, having topped the FIFA Women's National Team Rankings 13 times since they were established in 2003 and placed second six times. The Swedish women's soccer team is ranked second, its highest year-end ranking ever, followed by the German women's soccer team. Ranked four through 10 are France, the Netherlands, Canada, Brazil, England, Spain and North Korea.
