ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, has surged four places to 41st in the latest FIFA Men’s World Rankings, reclaiming its position among Africa’s top five football nations.
The rankings, released Friday by FIFA, reflect Nigeria’s recent success in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. The team rose from 45th place after securing a 2–1 win over Lesotho in Polokwane and a dominant 4–0 victory against Benin Republic in Uyo.
The three-time African champions also leapfrogged Ivory Coast, now ranked 42nd globally, as they secured a spot in the continental playoffs for the 2026 tournament.
Nigeria is set to face Gabon, ranked 77th worldwide and 15th in Africa, in the next playoff round. A potential clash with either Cameroon or DR Congo could follow, depending on results.
Morocco remains Africa’s highest-ranked team despite slipping one spot to 12th globally. Senegal holds second place on the continent and 18th worldwide, followed by Egypt (32nd), Algeria (35th), and Nigeria (41st).
Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Mali, Cameroon, and South Africa round out Africa’s top ten, reflecting a competitive regional landscape ahead of the World Cup.
Globally, Spain retained the top spot after consecutive qualifying wins over Georgia and Bulgaria. France, despite a 3–0 win over Azerbaijan, dropped points in a 2–2 draw with Iceland, allowing Argentina to reclaim second place following friendly victories over Venezuela and Puerto Rico.
The updated rankings set the stage for a tense final phase of World Cup qualification, with Nigeria’s resurgence offering renewed hope for a strong showing in North America.
