Spanish Women move atop FIFA rankings while looking for Olympic spot

The triumph of the Spanish Women's Team in the World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand followed by a UEFA Nations League campaign that has seen them assure a semifinal tie against the Netherlands, has helped to take them to the top of the FIFA rankings for the first time, reported Xinhua.

The latest FIFA rankings published on Friday see the Spanish Women move above the United States into top spot with 2,066.05 points, while the US have 2 045.12 points, with France bringing up third place with 2 021.69 points and beaten World Cup finalists England fourth.

Spain's next game is against the Netherlands on February 23rd in the Nations League semifinal, and they go into the match knowing that a win will book their place in the Olympic Games in Paris next summer.

"One of our objectives is to be in Paris, the Spanish national team has never been to the Olympics and it would be nice for all of us," commented Spain coach Montse Tome at the draw for the Nations League semifinals.

"We have two months ahead of us to work well and from now on we will begin to study the Netherlands' game," she said, expressing her satisfaction that Spain would play at home after around 20,000 fans watched their recent 5-3 win over Sweden in a thrilling game in Malaga.