The team's return to the pinnacle of world football comes on the back of a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Brazil in the Olympic final, secured by a decisive goal from Mallory Swanson. This win not only awarded the Americans their fifth Olympic gold medal but also marked a significant comeback after a period of underachievement. 

The USWNT had fallen to fifth place in the FIFA rankings, their lowest position in years, following a disappointing World Cup campaign in Australia and New Zealand last year.

The appointment of Emma Hayes as head coach has been instrumental in revitalising the team. Hayes, who took over the role just 12 weeks ago, has injected new energy into the squad, leading them to this notable success. Her previous success with Chelsea has translated into a fresh tactical approach and renewed confidence within the team. The gold medal victory underscores her effective impact on the squad in such a short time.

After winning the Olympic tournament, Hayes spoke to NBC Sports about what this achievement means for her career, “I come from a place where I want the players to have fun, and I’ve been at a club for 12 years where I’ve had great success. But I was desperate to do well for this country. And I’m so thrilled because you don’t win a gold medal every day.”

England, guided by Sarina Wiegman, has moved up to second place in the FIFA rankings. The Lionesses’ rise comes after their strong showing in the Olympics, where they were edged out by the USWNT in the semi-finals. Spain, the reigning world champions, have fallen to third place, partly due to their own defeat to Brazil in the semi-finals, which ended their hopes of maintaining the top spot.

France, previously ranked second, has experienced the most significant drop, falling to tenth position. Their poor performance in the group stages of the Olympics, followed by elimination at the hands of Brazil in the quarter-finals, has led to this decline. Additionally, the departure of coach Hervé Renard has added to the challenges facing the French team, marking their lowest ranking in nearly five years.

The victory in Paris and subsequent rise in the FIFA rankings highlight a remarkable turnaround for the USWNT, which had endured a challenging period following the World Cup. Their dominance on the Olympic stage and subsequent ascent to the top of the rankings affirm their status as a leading force in women’s football.