The Dutch women’s team has fallen outside the top ten in the world rankings in the lead-up to the European Championship in Switzerland. Coach Andries Jonker’s team dropped one place on the FIFA ranking.
The Netherlands lost heavily to Germany (4-0) in recent weeks and drew against Scotland (1-1). As a result, France was able to take over Oranje’s tenth place in the world rankings. The French are one of the three opponents of the Netherlands at this summer’s European Championship.
For Oranje, eleventh place is the worst ranking since August last year, when coach Jonker’s team was also eleventh. In the seven years before that, the Netherlands invariably belonged to the best ten countries in the world.
The United States still lead the rankings, followed by world champion Spain and Germany. Brazil rises four places in the world rankings and takes fourth place from Sarina Wiegman’s England, which is also one of three opponents of the Netherlands at the European Championship.
Wales, the other opponent of the Netherlands at the European Championship, occupies thirtieth place on the list. The Netherlands starts the tournament in Switzerland on Saturday, July 5 with a match against Wales. This is followed by group matches against England (July 9) and France (July 13).
Oranje will play one more match before the European Championship. On June 26, Finland is the opponent in the farewell match in Leeuwarden.