The Super Eagles have retained their 26th-place position in the latest FIFA men’s world rankings, released yesterday, with March international window results insufficient to alter their standing.
During the window, the Super Eagles played two friendlies in Antalya, Turkey, defeating Iran 2-1 on March 27 before drawing 2-2 with Jordan. However, the matches carried too little ranking weight to shift Nigeria from the position earned after a strong 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign.
At AFCON 2025, Nigeria won five matches and drew two others (both decided on penalties), defeating Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Mozambique, and Algeria, before falling to Morocco in the semi-finals. They secured third place by beating Egypt.
Within Africa, Nigeria remain third on the continent. Morocco, the 2025 AFCON champions, lead African nations in eighth globally, followed by Senegal in 14th.
Algeria, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Tunisia, Cameroon, and DR Congo complete the continent’s top ten.
Nigeria’s absence from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States means the Super Eagles will miss an opportunity to earn significant ranking points, with ten African teams competing this summer.
Their next chance to gain points will come in September with the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
At the top of the global rankings, France national football team has displaced both Spain and Argentina to claim the number one spot with 1,877.32 points, narrowly ahead of Spain’s 1,876.40. Argentina dropped to third, followed by England, Portugal, the Netherlands, Brazil, Morocco, Belgium, and Germany in the top ten.
France’s ascent was driven by victories over Colombia and Brazil, while Spain’s goalless draw with ten-man Egypt contributed to their slip. The next FIFA men’s rankings update is set for 10 June 2026.
