Super Eagles soar to 41st in FIFA Rankings, 5th in Africa

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Nigeria has made a notable leap in the latest FIFA world ranking, rising to 41st globally and 5th in Africa, signalling a steady resurgence of the Super Eagles on the continental and global football stage.

Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, and Algeria continue to dominate the continent’s football hierarchy, occupying the first four spots ahead of Nigeria.

Morocco, the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists, maintained their firm grip as Africa’s top-ranked team, sitting 12th in the world with 1,710.11 points. They are closely followed by Senegal (18th, 1,650.61 points), Egypt (32nd, 1,525.31 points), and Algeria (35th, 1,510.26 points).

Nigeria’s current position, up four places from 45th to 41st, reflects a significant gain of 11.6 points (1,495.46 from 1,483.86), following back-to-back victories during the latest international window.

The upward movement strengthens the Super Eagles’ reputation as one of Africa’s football powerhouses, despite the challenges that have marked recent competitions.

Across Africa, the continent’s top ten footballing nations now include Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire (42nd globally), and Tunisia (43rd), further highlighting the competitive balance within African football. Côte d’Ivoire, hosts of the last Africa Cup of Nations, gained 7.88 points to move up to 42nd, while Tunisia also improved by 7.78 points to secure the 43rd spot.

Globally, Spain reclaims the No. 1 position in the world ranking with 1,880.76 points, overtaking Argentina (2nd, 1,872.43 points) and France (3rd, 1,862.71 points). England and Portugal complete the top five, followed closely by the Netherlands, Brazil, and Belgium.

For Nigerian football enthusiasts, the latest ranking offers renewed optimism as the national team prepares for the next round of 2026 World Cup qualifiers and the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

Analysts say Nigeria’s climb reflects not only recent match results but also the impact of a more disciplined tactical approach and improved squad consistency. If the momentum continues, the Super Eagles could soon re-enter the world’s top 30, a position they last enjoyed in the mid-2010s.