Top 10 Netball Teams in the World 2026: Latest World Rankings
International netball features some of the world's strongest and most competitive national teams. Australia, New Zealand, England and Jamaica have consistently performed at the highest level, while teams such as South Africa, Uganda and Wales continue to strengthen their international positions.
According to the World Netball Rankings used for this article, Australia leads the world with a rating of 208, followed by New Zealand with 198 and England with 186.
The rankings below reflect the standings as of 1 March 2026, with the article's data last verified in May 2026. Rankings can change after subsequent rated international matches.
Top 10 Netball Teams in the World in 2026
Here are the ten highest-ranked national teams in the ranking snapshot covered by this article.
| Rank | Country | Matches Played | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 36 | 208 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 38 | 198 |
| 3 | England | 40 | 186 |
| 4 | Jamaica | 24 | 182 |
| 5 | South Africa | 43 | 166 |
| 6 | Uganda | 34 | 135 |
| 7 | Wales | 23 | 121 |
| 8 | Tonga | 28 | 119 |
| 9 | Malawi | 31 | 112 |
| 10 | Scotland | 23 | 107 |
Source snapshot: World Netball Rankings, 1 March 2026. Ratings and positions may have changed since the snapshot.
How Does the World Netball Rankings System Work?
The World Netball Rankings system compares national teams based on their performances in official international test matches.
The rating system considers the strength of opponents and match results. Defeating a highly rated opponent can have a greater positive impact than beating a lower-ranked team.
Key points about the system include:
- Rankings are based on results from rated international matches.
- The strength of the opposition influences rating changes.
- Teams must meet the minimum match requirements to receive an official ranking.
- Rankings are updated following rated international matches.
- The current rating period covered in this article began on 1 March 2023.
The ranking table provides an indication of international performance, but it does not necessarily predict the outcome of every future match.
1. Australia – The World's No. 1 Netball Team
Australia's national netball team, known as the Diamonds, occupies the top position in the March 2026 ranking snapshot with a rating of 208.
Australia has one of the strongest records in international netball. The Diamonds have won 12 of the 16 Netball World Cups staged between 1963 and 2023.
Their achievements include:
- Winning the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town.
- Defeating England 61–45 in the 2023 final.
- Winning the 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medal in Birmingham.
- Maintaining a strong record across international competitions.
Liz Watson captained the Australian Diamonds in the 2025–26 international cycle, with Paige Hadley serving as vice-captain.
Australia's combination of experienced international players, strong domestic competitions and developing young talent makes the Diamonds a major force in world netball.
Read more about Netball World Cup winners from 1963 to 2023.
2. New Zealand – The Silver Ferns
New Zealand's national team, the Silver Ferns, ranks second with a rating of 198.
The Silver Ferns have a long history of success and are among Australia's strongest international rivals.
Their major achievements include:
- Winning the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool.
- Maintaining a position among the world's leading netball nations.
- Producing world-class shooters, defenders and midcourt players.
- Competing regularly for major international titles.
New Zealand defeated Australia by one goal in the 2019 Netball World Cup final, demonstrating the competitiveness of this long-standing rivalry.
Grace Nweke was an important part of the Silver Ferns' 2025–26 shooting plans after receiving an eligibility exemption in August 2025.
The Silver Ferns remain one of the most respected teams in international netball.
3. England – The Vitality Roses
England's national netball team, known as the Vitality Roses, ranks third with a rating of 186.
England has made significant progress in international netball and has developed into a consistent challenger for major titles.
Important achievements include:
- Winning Commonwealth Games gold in 2018.
- Reaching the 2023 Netball World Cup final.
- Defeating Australia in a three-test series in Australia in 2024.
- Winning the 2025 Netball Nations Cup.
England defeated South Africa 61–55 in the 2025 Netball Nations Cup final in London.
Under head coach Jess Thirlby, the Vitality Roses have continued to build a competitive squad featuring experienced international players.
Fran Williams and Helen Housby are among the team's recognised players.
Explore the history of the Netball Quad Series and Nations Cup.
4. Jamaica – The Sunshine Girls
Jamaica's national netball team, the Sunshine Girls, holds fourth position with a rating of 182.
Jamaica is one of the strongest netball nations in the Caribbean and has consistently challenged the leading teams.
The Sunshine Girls are recognised for their athleticism, speed, physical strength and competitive style.
Their major achievements include:
- Reaching the 2022 Commonwealth Games final.
- Winning the bronze medal at the 2023 Netball World Cup.
- Maintaining a position among the world's top four teams since 2019.
- Developing talented players through national and youth programmes.
Jamaica lost 55–51 to Australia in the 2022 Commonwealth Games final in Birmingham.
Their fourth-place ranking demonstrates their continued ability to compete against the world's strongest netball teams.
5. South Africa – The SPAR Proteas
South Africa's national netball team, known as the SPAR Proteas, ranks fifth with a rating of 166.
South Africa has become an increasingly competitive force in international netball, particularly through its performances against leading teams.
Notable achievements and developments include:
- Hosting the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town.
- Reaching sixth place at the 2023 World Cup.
- Reaching the 2025 Netball Nations Cup final.
- Continuing to develop domestic and international talent.
The Proteas lost 61–55 to England in the 2025 Netball Nations Cup final.
South Africa's international performances have helped maintain its position among the world's top five netball nations.
6. Uganda – The She Cranes
Uganda's national netball team, the She Cranes, ranks sixth with a rating of 135.
Uganda has made considerable progress in international netball and is one of the strongest teams in Africa.
The She Cranes have become increasingly competitive against established international sides.
Their important achievements include:
- Competing in the 2024 and 2025 Netball Nations Cup.
- Defeating New Zealand 62–57 in a 2024 Nations Cup round-robin match.
- Improving their position in the World Netball Rankings.
- Establishing themselves among the world's top six teams in the March 2026 snapshot.
Uganda's rise reflects the development of netball in the country and the growing strength of its national programme.
7. Wales – The Welsh National Netball Team
Wales ranks seventh with a rating of 121, achieving its highest-ever position in the World Netball Rankings at the time of this snapshot.
The Welsh national team has made progress through consistent international performances during the 2024 and 2025 competition windows.
Key developments include:
- Climbing from ninth to seventh in the rankings.
- Moving ahead of Malawi.
- Building a competitive international squad.
- Qualifying for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Wales' rise is an important development for European netball and demonstrates the increasing competitiveness of international teams outside the traditional top nations.
8. Tonga – The Tala
Tonga's national netball team, known as The Tala, ranks eighth with a rating of 119.
Tonga is one of the leading netball nations in the Pacific region.
The team has continued to develop through regional competitions and international fixtures.
Important developments include:
- Breaking into the World Netball top ten in 2022.
- Producing competitive performances in Pacific competitions.
- Qualifying for the Oceania Regional Qualifier pathway for the 2027 Netball World Cup.
- Preparing for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Tonga's position highlights the growing strength of Pacific netball.
9. Malawi – The Queens
Malawi's national netball team, known as the Queens, ranks ninth with a rating of 112.
Malawi has a long history of international netball participation and remains one of Africa's recognised teams.
The Queens have competed in major international competitions, including:
- Netball World Cups.
- Commonwealth Games.
- Netball Nations Cup.
- African regional competitions.
Malawi finished fourth in the 2025 Netball Nations Cup after losing the third-place playoff 50–45 to Uganda.
Although the Queens dropped from sixth place in the August 2023 ranking snapshot, they remain within the world's top ten.
10. Scotland – The Thistles
Scotland's national netball team, known as the Thistles, completes the top ten with a rating of 107.
Scotland has continued to develop its international programme and has maintained a place among the leading ten teams in the ranking snapshot.
Important developments include:
- Competing at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
- Maintaining a position in the international top ten.
- Hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
- Hosting the European Regional Qualifier for the 2027 Netball World Cup.
The Thistles will have an important opportunity to showcase Scottish netball during the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
How Have the World Netball Rankings Changed Since 2023?
The rankings have experienced several notable changes since August 2023.
Uganda and Wales have improved their positions, while Malawi has moved down the table.
The following comparison highlights the major movements.
| Team | August 2023 Rank | March 2026 Rank | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uganda | 7 | 6 | Up 1 |
| Wales | 9 | 7 | Up 2 |
| Malawi | 6 | 9 | Down 3 |
| Australia | 1 | 1 | Unchanged |
| New Zealand | 2 | 2 | Unchanged |
| England | 3 | 3 | Unchanged |
| Jamaica | 4 | 4 | Unchanged |
| South Africa | 5 | 5 | Unchanged |
| Tonga | 8 | 8 | Unchanged |
| Scotland | 10 | 10 | Unchanged |
The top five remained in the same order in these two snapshots, while the lower half of the table experienced more movement.
These changes demonstrate how international results can influence national rankings over time.
Which Country Has Won the Most Netball World Cups?
Australia has won the most Netball World Cup titles.
Based on the 16 tournaments staged between 1963 and 2023:
| Country | Netball World Cup Titles |
|---|---|
| Australia | 12 |
| New Zealand | 4 |
| Other countries | 0 |
Australia's success has made the Diamonds the most successful team in Netball World Cup history.
New Zealand is the only other country to have won the championship, with four titles.
England reached its first Netball World Cup final in 2023 but finished as runner-up after losing to Australia.
Read the full Netball World Cup winners list from 1963 to 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the number one netball team in the world in 2026?
Australia is number one in the ranking snapshot used in this article, with a rating of 208 as of 1 March 2026.
Which country is second in the World Netball Rankings?
New Zealand is second with a rating of 198 in the March 2026 snapshot.
Which country is third in world netball?
England ranks third with a rating of 186.
Which are the top five netball teams in the world?
The top five in the March 2026 snapshot are:
- Australia
- New Zealand
- England
- Jamaica
- South Africa
Which African countries are in the top ten?
South Africa, Uganda and Malawi are the three African countries in the top ten in this ranking snapshot.
What is the highest ranking Wales has achieved?
Wales reached seventh position in the March 2026 ranking snapshot, its highest-ever World Netball ranking at that time.
Which country has won the most Netball World Cups?
Australia has won 12 Netball World Cup titles, making it the most successful nation in the tournament's history.
Who is the captain of the Australian Diamonds?
Liz Watson captained the Australian Diamonds during the 2025–26 international cycle.
How often are World Netball Rankings updated?
World Netball updates rankings following rated international matches. The published positions can therefore change throughout the international calendar.
Where can I find the latest official netball rankings?
Visit the official World Netball website for the latest published international rankings.
Final Thoughts
The top ten netball teams in the world demonstrate the global growth and competitiveness of the sport.
Australia continues to lead the rankings, while New Zealand, England and Jamaica remain major international challengers. South Africa, Uganda, Wales and other emerging teams are also making important progress.
The March 2026 ranking snapshot shows that international netball is becoming increasingly competitive, with teams continuing to improve through international experience and development programmes.
For more updates, match results and tournament information, visit the NetballOne Competitions Hub.
