Viet Nam maintain top spot in Southeast Asian women’s football

Viet Nam’s women’s national football team remain 37th in the world, sixth in Asia and top of Southeast Asia in the latest FIFA rankings released on October 21. Meanwhile, Spain have strengthened their position at the top of the world rankings.

Viet Nam’s women’s national team face Thailand at the 2026 Asian Games. (Photo: VFF)

Viet Nam’s women’s national team have maintained their position at 37th in the world, unchanged from the previous edition of the rankings. Under head coach Hoang Van Phuc, the team remain among Asia’s leading sides.

In the continental rankings, Viet Nam are sixth, behind Japan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Australia, the Republic of Korea and China. They continue to lead the Southeast Asian region.

The latest FIFA women’s rankings follow 183 international matches, including European and African qualifying matches for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, African qualifying matches for women’s Olympic football and numerous international friendlies.

At the top of the world rankings, Spain remain in first place, extending their lead over second-placed the US to nearly 80 points.

Germany retain third place after winning both of their home friendlies. Among the top 10 teams, Denmark are the only side to have changed position, climbing two places to 10th and returning to the top 10 for the first time since August 2010.

African women’s football has seen significant movement in the rankings.

Malawi recorded the biggest rise, climbing 49 places to 104th in the world. According to the published figures, the team gained 158.44 points, the largest points increase in their history.

Cameroon rose nine places to 62nd after winning the continental title. Tanzania climbed 11 places to 111th, while Burkina Faso gained nine places to reach 109th.

In Europe, Slovenia also achieved a milestone, rising two places to 36th, their highest position in the team’s history.

At the other end of the rankings, Egypt suffered one of the steepest declines, dropping 14 places to 113th after failing to earn any points in the group stage of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Zimbabwe fell nine places to 136th, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo dropped eight places to 114th.

Amid these changes, Viet Nam’s continued presence at 37th in the world, sixth in Asia and first in Southeast Asia highlights the team’s relative stability in the FIFA rankings.

This provides a foundation for Viet Nam’s women’s football to pursue its future ambitions, particularly in improving technical quality and competitiveness at continental and global tournaments.

NDO