England's women achieve highest FIFA world ranking of fourth

England Women have achieved their highest-ever FIFA ranking, moving up one place to fourth.

Following their historic performance at last year's Women's World Cup in Canada, Mark Sampson's side have begun their bid to qualify for the 2017 European Championships in The Netherlands next year.

England have won their opening two games against Bosnia & Herzegovina and Estonia, scoring nine goals in the process and keeping two clean-sheets.

USA remain top spot in the FIFA rankings while Germany and France remain in second and third respectively.

Scotland stay in 21st, while the Republic of Ireland have fallen one place to 33rd and Wales remain in 36th.

Japan have dropped out of the top five for the first time since 2009 after failing to win their first three games in 2016 against lesser-ranked teams, falling three places to seventh.