LAGOS, Nigeria (FN) — Nigeria’s men’s national football team, the Super Eagles, have retained their 38th position in the December 2025 FIFA Men’s World Ranking, holding steady globally as the year closes.
The latest update, released Monday, shows Nigeria maintaining its November points tally of 1,502, with no competitive matches played since the previous ranking.
Nigeria remains fifth among African nations, trailing Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, and Algeria. Morocco continues to lead the continent, ranked 11th globally, while Senegal sits at 19th. Algeria and Egypt follow at 34th and 35th, respectively, with Nigeria next at 38th.
Globally, Spain retained the number one spot, having reclaimed it from Argentina in September 2025. France completes the podium in third place, while England, Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and Croatia round out the top 10, all unchanged from the previous ranking.
The December edition, the final ranking of the year, followed 42 international fixtures, with the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 taking center stage. Morocco’s victory at the tournament brought them within striking distance of the global top 10, trailing Croatia by just 0.54 points.
Reactions in Nigeria were mixed. Some fans praised the team’s stability, noting that the Super Eagles avoided slipping further down the table. Others expressed frustration at the lack of progress, with many on social media calling for stronger performances to push Nigeria into Africa’s top three.
Sports analysts echoed those concerns, warning that Nigeria’s stagnation could affect seeding in major tournaments. “Rankings matter for draws. If Nigeria doesn’t climb, they risk tougher opponents in AFCON and World Cup qualifiers,” said Abuja-based analyst Chika Okoye.
The Nigerian government also weighed in, urging patience and emphasizing that rankings are secondary to performance. “Rankings are important for seeding, but what matters most is winning matches and tournaments. The Super Eagles must concentrate on performance, and the rankings will follow,” a spokesperson for the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development said.
Officials added that the government is committed to supporting the team through investment in coaching, youth development, and infrastructure. “We are working to ensure the Super Eagles have the resources they need to succeed. AFCON 2025 is our immediate focus,” the ministry noted.
