The FIFA Women's World Rankings for football were introduced in 2003, with the first rankings published in March of that year, as a follow-on to the existing FIFA World Rankings for men. FIFA Women's World Rankings attempt to compare the strength of internationally active teams at any given time

To date Germany and the USA have been the only two teams to have led the rankings. Between them, they held the top two spots from the third set of rankings in October 2003, immediately after the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup, through the December 2008 rankings. Germany was third behind Norway in the first two rankings, and dropped out of the top two in March 2009, replaced by Brazil, though their successful 2009 Euro title defense pushed them back into the top two for the September 2009 ranking, where they have remained.

Football Mania Back as Germany Hosts FIFA Women's World Cup 2011

With Germany set to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011, cheap tickets to the country are flying out fast as hosts of football fans seek to experience the ‘beautiful game’ as branded by the fairer sex. Several other German attractions await holiday makers.

Germany is all set to stage the 6th FIFA Women's World Cup from 26 June to 17 July 2011. Expect the whole world to cheer on as women take the centre stage this summer in Germany! The men had their chance in Germany in 2006 FIFA World Cup, and now it's the turn of the fairer sex to fight it out at one of the most scenic regions in the world. This is the chance for the women to show the world their skills with the ball, and their brand of exciting soccer competition.

""We're utterly determined to take all three points and make the nation proud.""

New Zealand captain Rebecca Smith

Kim Kulig of Germany Crowd hero and key figure
The spotlight is currently on the 21-year-old. Sharing the holding midfield duties with Simone Laudehr, her crucial task will be to disrupt the Nadeshiko’s pacy and precise short-passing game. Germany boss Silvia Neid rested Kulig for her team's third group match against France as a precaution against suspension for a second yellow card, but is certain to restore the shooting star for Saturday. And there can be no doubt Kulig is more than up for the challenge.