Honestly, if you haven’t been watching Les Bleues lately, you’re missing out on one of the most chaotic, brilliant, and arguably confusing eras in French football history. One minute they’re dismantling world-class defenses with a flick of Marie-Antoinette Katoto’s boot, and the next, they’re navigating a massive coaching transition that feels like a soap opera. But here’s the thing: despite the drama, the France women's national football team standings remain remarkably high.
They aren't just surviving; they are hovering right at the top of the world.
As of early 2026, France holds the No. 7 spot in the FIFA World Rankings. That might feel like a slight dip if you remember them pushing for the top three, but don't let the number fool you. The gap between Spain at the top and the rest of the pack is shrinking, and France is right in the thick of it. They recently finished a grueling UEFA Nations League cycle where they absolutely bossed Group A2, finishing with a perfect record of six wins from six games.
Eighteen points. Zero losses. That's how you make a statement.
The Reality of the France Women's National Football Team Standings Right Now
You’ve got to look at the numbers to really get it. In the most recent Nations League phase, France didn't just win; they suffocated their opponents. They netted 14 goals and only let in two. Two! That’s defensive discipline you usually only see from teams that have been together for a decade. Yet, this team is going through a massive facelift.
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Hervé Renard is gone. The man with the white shirt and the cinematic presence headed back to the Saudi Arabia men’s team after the 2024 Olympics. Now, Laurent Bonadei is at the helm. He was Renard’s right-hand man, so the tactical DNA is similar, but the vibe is different. He’s leaning into a younger core. He’s making tough calls—leaving out legends like Wendie Renard and Eugénie Le Sommer in certain windows to test the depth.
Current 2027 World Cup Qualifying Standings (League A, Group 2)
The road to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil has officially started, and France is in a "Group of Death" light. Here is how the standings look in their qualifying pod:
- France: 0 Points (Matches start March 2026)
- Netherlands: 0 Points
- Poland: 0 Points
- Republic of Ireland: 0 Points
The schedule is brutal. They open against Ireland on March 3, 2026. If you think that’s a walkover, you haven’t seen the Irish defense lately. Then they have a quick turnaround to face Poland on March 6. The big one? That's the April window against the Netherlands. That match will basically decide who wins the group and secures a direct ticket to Brazil.
Why the FIFA Ranking Doesn't Tell the Whole Story
Rankings are weird. They’re based on math that sometimes ignores the "eye test." Currently, France sits at 1992.61 points. They are trailing Brazil by a fraction of a point and are just behind Sweden.
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But look at the recent results.
In late 2025, they played a wild 2-2 draw against Sweden in the Nations League 3rd-place match (which Sweden eventually took on the technicalities of the tournament structure). Before that, they pushed Germany to the absolute limit in the Euro 2025 quarterfinals, losing only on a heartbreaking penalty shootout (5-6).
They are always there. They are the team nobody wants to draw in a knockout round.
The Katoto and Diani Factor
The reason France stays so high in the France women's national football team standings is their firepower. Marie-Antoinette Katoto is a cheat code. When she's healthy, she’s arguably the best pure number nine in the world. Combine her with Kadidiatou Diani’s work rate on the wing, and you have a front line that can score against a parked bus.
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Bonadei’s biggest challenge isn't finding talent; it's managing the egos and the transition. He’s moved Grace Geyoro into a more permanent leadership role in the midfield. It’s a gamble. Geyoro has the vision, but she’s replacing the "old guard" who carried this team for fifteen years.
What to Watch for in 2026
The next few months are going to be a rollercoaster. If you’re tracking the standings, keep these dates on your calendar because the table will shift fast.
- March 3, 2026: Away vs. Republic of Ireland. This is a trap game. High energy, loud crowd.
- March 6, 2026: Home vs. Poland. Ewa Pajor will test the French center-backs. If France doesn't have their defensive shape sorted, Pajor will punish them.
- April 13, 2026: The showdown with the Netherlands. This is the match for the top of the table.
France has a tendency to start slow and finish strong. However, in World Cup qualifying, a slow start can mean a nightmare playoff route. They need to be top of the group by June to avoid the stress.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following this team, don't just look at the win/loss column. To really understand where France is headed, watch these specific metrics:
- Clean Sheets: Under Renard, they were defensively solid but sometimes leaked goals on the counter. If Bonadei can keep the "GA" (Goals Against) column near zero in the first three qualifiers, they’re golden.
- Substitution Timing: Bonadei is known for being more "rotational" than Renard. Watch if he uses his bench before the 70th minute. It’ll tell you how much he trusts his second unit.
- The Midfield Pivot: Watch how Geyoro interacts with Sandie Toletti. If they click, France is a top-three team. If they get bypassed, the FIFA ranking will keep sliding.
The France women's national football team standings reflect a giant in transition. They are still the queens of the group stage, but the world is waiting to see if they can finally turn that "standing" into a major trophy. Keep an eye on the March window—it’s going to set the tone for the rest of the decade.