The final round of FIFA rankings ahead of the 2023 Women's World Cup dropped on Friday and the U.S. remains on top.
The Americans have held the No. 1 overall ranking since July 2017. Friday's ranking just confirms they'll head to Australia and New Zealand as favorites on their quest to become the first team -- men or women's -- to win three consecutive World Cups.
In second place is Germany, the only other women's team to win more than one World Cup in the tournament's 32-year history.
The gap between the top-two teams has widened in recent weeks with Sweden and England -- third and fourth place, respectively -- dropping double digit ranking points. The Swedes have only won one of their four matchups in 2023. Meanwhile, reigning Euro champions England have been dealt a series of devasting knee injuries, most recently a torn ACL suffered by captain Leah Williamson in April.
Get top local stories in San Diego delivered to you every morning. >Sign up for NBC San Diego's News Headlines newsletter.
While England has been one of the hardest hit squads, injuries have been a recurring theme in the leadup to this year's World Cup and the U.S. is no exception.
Leading goalscorer Mallory Swanson tore her patella tendon in a friendly against Ireland in April. The defending champions to another blow last month when it was determined that forward Catarina Macario wouldn't be back in time from a torn ACL suffered more than a year ago.
Rounding out the top-5 is France, the first team to gain points in the rankings. They're followed by Spain, who jumped Canada for the No. 6 spot.
SportsWrap
The top sports headlines of the day
The World Cup kicks off on July 20 with games held in both Australia and New Zealand.
