Nigeria’s Super Eagles have bounced back in the latest FIFA men’s world rankings, climbing four spots from 45th to 41st position globally. This upward movement marks Nigeria’s return to the top five African teams, overtaking Ivory Coast, now sitting at 42nd place worldwide. The rise reflects the team’s impressive performances in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, including notable victories such as a 2–1 win over Lesotho in Polokwane and a dominant 4–0 triumph against Benin Republic in Uyo.
By securing these wins, Nigeria has not only improved its FIFA ranking points but has also confirmed its place in the African playoffs for the upcoming World Cup. The Super Eagles are now poised to face Gabon, ranked 77th globally and 15th in Africa, in the playoff semi-finals, aiming to secure a spot in the final round where they could meet Cameroon or DR Congo.
Despite Morocco remaining Africa’s highest-ranked team at 12th globally, Nigeria’s resurgence back into Africa’s top five reinforces their status as one of the continent’s football powerhouses. Globally, Spain retains the number one spot, while the reigning world champions Argentina and France follow closely.
This latest ranking update provides encouragement for Nigerian football fans as the team edges closer to qualification in the 2026 FIFA World Cup scheduled to be held in North America.
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