1) England
The European champions’ momentum suffered a blow when defeat to Australia ended their 30-game unbeaten run. In contrast, they also added the Finalissima to their ever-expanding trophy cabinet this window. The Lionesses are still favourites with time to fix any problems.
2) USA
It feels wrong to knock the back-to-back world champions off the top spot. They are still a force but defeats to Spain, England and Germany at the tail end of 2022 showed there is work to do. That may already be in progress as they are unbeaten this year.
3) Germany
Defeat against Brazil will have surprised many, but Germany undoubtedly remain on track. Victory over the Netherlands showed their ability. The injury Alexandra Popp picked up in Nuremberg is a worry.
4) France
New-look France, with controversial manager Corinne Diacre gone and Hervé Renard in, seem happier. A resilient recovery against Colombia in Renard’s first game was followed by a 2-1 defeat of the Olympic champions, Canada.
5) Australia
Australia finished their overseas tour with optimism. Despite losing to Scotland, they then beat the European champions England. Their reliance on Sam Kerr staying fit could be a concern. But with their captain, the Matildas possess plenty of potential.
6) Spain
Despite missing 15 key players after a falling out with the federation over conditions, Spain just keep winning. Wins against Norway and China came in this window. They could be formidable if the impasse with the players is resolved in time.
7) Canada
How Canada will look this summer remains unanswered. A pay dispute and injuries have taken their toll. That they lost narrowly to France shows the character of the Olympic champions can not be discounted.
8) Brazil
Brazil are without Marta, Debinha and Ludmila, but only narrowly lost to England on penalties in the Finalissima and earned a shock 2-1 defeat of Germany. A team growing in confidence with each positive result.
9) Sweden
Peter Gerhardsson’s side are clearly not the team they once were. A loss to Denmark and a dramatic six-goal draw with Norway will be seen as a setback in their preparations.
10) Denmark
Back-to-back wins against top-10 nations Sweden and Japan without influential forward Pernille Harder is no mean feat and a turnaround from defeats to Australia and the Netherlands to finish 2022.
11) Japan
Defeat to Denmark will have not been on the cards for the 2011 World Cup champions. That loss followed a 2-1 victory over Portugal. Struggling for consistency against the top sides.
12) Netherlands
The Dutch are still trying to find the answers to life without Vivianne Miedema. A comfortable win over Poland will have built confidence, but defeat to Germany showed they might struggle against the best.
13) Norway
Came from behind twice against Sweden to earn a 3-3 draw after a 4-2 defeat to Spain in this window. Influential striker Ada Hegerberg leaving the pitch looking uncomfortable so soon after her return from injury will be a concern.
14) China
Defeat to Spain illustrated how much China need to improve, but they are capable of shutting out an attack. England will need to be wary when they meet in Group D.
15) Italy
Have lost their way a little since an impressive showing at their first World Cup in 10 years in 2019. A 2-1 defeat of Colombia was the team’s only fixture in this window.
16) South Korea
Colin Bell’s side put 10 past Zambia in two matches in this window. They possess quality in attack, but struggled against stronger opposition at the Arnold Clark Cup in February.
17) Portugal
A 2-1 defeat to Japan and draw with Wales rounds off the World Cup debutants international break. Before that they were unbeaten in eight months, with wins over Iceland, Haiti, Costa Rica, New Zealand and Cameroon.
after newsletter promotion
18) Republic of Ireland
Ireland’s unbeaten run ended with two narrow defeats to the USA. The performances more than the results, however, showed that Vera Pauw’s side are not to be dismissed.
19) Argentina
After a heavy loss to Spain at the end of 2022, Argentina have beaten World Cup co-host New Zealand twice and earned a draw and win over Venezuela in this window.
20) Switzerland
Switzerland have struggled to get their World Cup campaign going. They have slumped to three draws and a defeat this year, with a 0-0 draw with China and 2-1 loss to Iceland coming in this international break.
21) Colombia
Colombia lost to rance and Italy but the displays showed they can compete. Their form is strong and they were only beaten narrowly by Brazil in last year’s Copa América final.
22) Nigeria
Nigeria rounded off a successful international window with a comfortable victory over New Zealand. They had previously beaten Haiti 2-1. After a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations, their progress is clear.
23) New Zealand
The co-hosts are on a dire run of form. New Zealand have not won in nine games, with losses to the USA, Portugal, Argentina and, most recently, Nigeria.
24) Jamaica
Conceded nine and scored twice in defeats to Spain, Czech Republic and Australia at the friendly Cup of Nations in February. The team has one win in seven games.
25) South Africa
Banyana Banyana have struggled since winning a first Africa Cup of Nations title in 2022. A 3-2 defeat to Serbia concluded this window.
26) Costa Rica
Costa Rica endured a tough window with a heavy defeat to Scotland and narrow loss to Poland. Two wins against the Philippines last year showed they can compete with those around them.
27) Philippines
Yet to be tested against top-level opposition. They cruised to wins over Pakistan and Tajikistan in their quest for Olympic qualification. Suffered narrow defeats to Scotland and Wales in February.
28) Vietnam
One of the emerging nations in Asian football. Their focus, however, has been elsewhere this window with Olympic 2024 qualifying. They beat Nepal twice to progress before their World Cup debut.
29) Morocco
Another World Cup debutant, Morocco suffered back-to-back defeats to Czech Republic and Romania in this window. That was added to a draw and defeat to the Republic of Ireland in November.
30) Haiti
Yet another debutant, Haiti qualified through the intercontinental playoff this year. A narrow defeat to Nigeria showed promise. They possess one of the most exciting young players in Melchie Dumornay, who will join Lyon this summer.
31) Zambia
Zambia enjoyed a standout 2022, defying the odds to finish third at the Africa Cup of Nations and win the Cosafa Championship. They suffered two heavy defeats to South Korea in this window and are, as yet, untested against top opposition.
32) Panama
Panama beat the Dominican Republic twice in this break. They are entering their first World Cup after qualifying through the intercontinental playoffs.
