Matildas suffer shock rankings drop after losing Women’s World Cup third-place playoff

The Matildas may have captured the hearts of Australia on their run to a best-ever fourth-placed finish at the Women’s World Cup, but it has not translated to the rankings.

Australia have fallen out of the world’s top 10 teams, relegated to 11th after losing the third-place playoff to Sweden 2-0.

The Matildas came into the tournament at 10 but have been replaced by Japan.

Women’s World Cup winner Spain rose to No.2 in the FIFA rankings published Friday, with the United States falling off the top spot for the first time in more than six years.

Sweden, which lost to Spain in the semifinals, tops the rankings.

FIFA said Spain, which jumped four spots, would have led but for ranking points lost in a group-stage 4-0 defeat by Japan.

The U.S. dropped to No. 3.

The two-time defending World Cup champion lost in the round of 16 to Sweden.

European champion England, which lost to Spain in the final, stayed at No. 4. England won its semifinal against France, which is No. 5.

Germany dropped to sixth from second after failing to advance from the group stage at the World Cup. Germany was the last European team to lead the rankings in 2017.

Olympic champion Canada also failed to reach the knockout rounds and dropped three places to No. 10.

Teams rising after impressing at the World Cup include Colombia (up three to No. 22), Nigeria (up eight to No. 32), South Africa (up nine to No. 45) and Morocco (up 14 to No. 58).