Nigeria’s senior men’s national football team, the Super Eagles, have recorded a major leap in the latest FIFA World Ranking, climbing 12 places to 26th position worldwide.
The ranking, released on January 19, reflects Nigeria’s impressive outing at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, where the three-time African champions finished third to secure the bronze medal.
On the continental stage, the Super Eagles are now ranked third in Africa, behind AFCON champions Senegal, who sit 12th in the world, and host nation Morocco, ranked eighth globally. Algeria and Egypt, both defeated by Nigeria during the tournament, occupy fourth and fifth positions respectively on the African ranking.
Nigeria moved up from 38th position after winning six of their seven matches at AFCON, with their only loss coming in the semi-final against Morocco, decided on penalties.
The Super Eagles capped their campaign with a 4-2 victory over Egypt in the third-place playoff match, a result that further boosted their ranking points.
Globally, Spain lead the FIFA World Ranking, followed by Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and Croatia, who make up the top 10 teams in the world.
The latest rankings underline Nigeria’s growing stature in African football and signal renewed optimism for the Super Eagles on the global stage.
