Harambee Starlets climb up in latest FIFA rankings
By Kenneth Mwenda, August 7, 2025Kenya’s national women’s football team, the Harambee Starlets, have moved up two spots in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking, rising from position 142 to 140.
The updated list was released by FIFA on Thursday, August 7, 2025.
Though the jump may seem small, it marks a positive sign of growth for women’s football in Kenya, especially under the leadership of head coach Beldine Odemba.
The team’s new total points stand at 1061.31, the same as before, meaning the move was influenced more by changes around them than direct gains. Still, the Starlets will welcome any progress after months of hard work and regional competitions.
Just months prior to the FIFA rankings update, the Starlets narrowly missed out on their second CECAFA title after falling 1-0 to hosts Tanzania in the tournament final at the Azam Complex in Dar es Salaam.
The Starlets had previously struggled in international matches, including a heavy 5–1 defeat to Morocco in Tangier. However, the team has shown resilience and a clear intention to improve on the continental stage.
Nigeria are Africa’s best
In Africa, Nigeria remains the highest-ranked women’s team, who a few days ago won their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after a thrilling comeback against Morocco. The Super Falcons are 36th in the world. South Africa follows as Africa’s second-best, sitting in 54th place globally, despite losing ground in the rankings.
At the top of the global chart, Spain has reclaimed the number one spot after an excellent UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 campaign. The United States dropped to second, while Sweden, England, and Germany complete the top five.
The FIFA Women’s Rankings are updated quarterly and are based on match results from official competitions and friendlies. The next update is expected on November 7, 2025.
For the Harambee Starlets, the goal now is to build on this small win and continue climbing the rankings with strong performances in regional tournaments.