Malawi’s Scorchers have climbed 49 places in the latest FIFA Women’s World Rankings, moving from 153rd to 104th position worldwide.
The rise follows their historic campaign at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where they finished as runners-up and secured qualification for their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The team also recorded an emphatic 9–0 aggregate victory over Zimbabwe in the opening round of the 2028 Olympic qualifiers.
According to the latest ranking report, Malawi gained 158.44 points, recording the largest points increase among the teams in the update. The Scorchers are now ranked 12th in Africa.
The achievement marks a major step forward for women’s football in Malawi and offers encouragement to young players aspiring to represent the country internationally.
Why it matters: A higher world ranking reflects the team’s progress and gives Malawi greater recognition in international women’s football.