Nigeria’s Super Eagles have surged to 26th place in the latest FIFA Men’s World Ranking, climbing 12 positions to become the third-highest ranked team in Africa.
The significant rise follows Nigeria’s impressive performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, where the Super Eagles finished with the bronze medal.
Nigeria’s upward movement was powered by a strong AFCON campaign that produced six wins and one defeat from seven matches, earning the team 1,581.55 ranking points. The only loss came in the semi-final, where the Super Eagles were edged out by hosts Morocco in a penalty shootout, before bouncing back to secure third place.
On the African continent, Nigeria now trails only Morocco, ranked eighth globally, and Senegal, who sit 12th in the world.
Globally, Spain top the latest FIFA rankings, followed by Argentina and France. The rest of the top 10 are England, Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, Morocco, Belgium, and Germany.
In Africa, the current top 10 teams are Morocco, Senegal, Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Tunisia, Congo DR, and Mali.
Nigeria’s steady rise has further underlined the Super Eagles’ growing status on the global football stage. Their AFCON outing not only improved their ranking but also highlighted a team that has evolved into a genuine African powerhouse, blending local resilience with international experience and earning widespread admiration.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has praised the Super Eagles for their spirited display at the tournament, describing their performance as a reflection of discipline, unity, and resilience, values said to embody the Nigerian spirit.
“Football has its highs and lows, but your effort, commitment, and fighting spirit throughout this tournament have earned the respect and gratitude of Nigerians at home and abroad.
“You reminded us that wearing the green and white is about courage, unity, and never giving up. Hold your heads high. Learn from this experience, stay united, and return stronger,” the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said in a statement.
