Nigeria’s Super Eagles have climbed up the global standings in the latest FIFA Ranking released on Thursday, despite failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The three-time African champions moved up to 38th in the world, buoyed by results recorded during the last international window. The ranking update covered 149 national-team matches played worldwide since the previous release.

Nigeria’s rise is attributed to their commanding 4–1 victory over Gabon and the 1–1 draw against DR Congo in the African play-offs, a match the Eagles eventually lost 4–3 on penalties, ending their hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup.

Despite the disappointment of missing out on the tournament, the performances were strong enough to boost the team’s coefficient, taking their new points total to 1,502.46.

The latest ranking places Nigeria fifth in Africa, trailing only Morocco, Senegal, Egypt and Algeria.

The updated standings come ahead of the Final Draw for the 2026 World Cup, scheduled for later today.

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By Kunle Solaja.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have climbed four places in the latest FIFA men’s world rankings, rising to 41st globally.

On the African continent, Nigeria now occupies one of the higher slots, reflecting improved recent performances.

Other top African rankings include Morocco at the summit, followed by Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, and Côte d’Ivoire among the continent’s elite.

The ranking boost offers renewed confidence for Nigeria’s squad ahead of key continental and World Cup qualifier matches.

The rise comes after a period of fluctuating form, raising hopes among fans and stakeholders that Nigeria might be re-establishing upward momentum on the world stage.

However, ranking gains alone may not mask deeper performance concerns; consistency in competitive matches will ultimately determine whether this climb is sustainable.

While Nigeria’s climb is visible, the continent’s hierarchy is still led by North and West African powers, making further gains an uphill battle.

The improved ranking offers a psychological boost ahead of crucial World Cup qualifiers, continental tournaments, and friendly matches.

It could help in seeding and draws for future competitions, especially if the Super Eagles scale through next month’s continental play off in Morocco. But seeding advantages must be backed by results.

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The Super Eagles have slipped to 45th in the latest FIFA men’s world ranking, their lowest position in over six years, according to figures released Thursday by world football governing body, FIFA.

Despite remaining unbeaten in recent outings, Nigeria’s ranking points were not enough to maintain their previous position. The team also sits sixth on the African continent, behind Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria and Côte d’Ivoire.

The decline highlights both the fierce competition within Africa and the importance of securing victories in high-value matches such as World Cup qualifiers.

Sports Village Square warns that the ranking could affect Nigeria’s seeding in future tournaments, potentially drawing the Super Eagles against tougher opponents in qualification campaigns.

The publication also urges the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to strengthen preparations for upcoming qualifiers, emphasizing consistency, competitive match scheduling, and squad stability as key to reversing the downward slide.

Nigeria’s FIFA Men’s World Ranking trend over the last ~5 years

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