Super Eagles of Nigeria have climbed three places in the latest FIFA men’s world rankings, moving to 38th overall — the fifth-best position among African nations.
The rise follows a 4-1 win over Gabon and a 1-1 draw with DR Congo (4–3 on penalties) in the African play-off. Nigeria’s points total now stands at 1,502.46.
Despite the ranking boost, Nigerians remain conflicted. The joy at moving up is tempered by the disappointment of missing the 2026 World Cup — a goal the team failed to reach.
Morocco leads Africa in the standings with 1,713.12 points, followed by Senegal (1,648.07), Egypt (1,520.68) and Algeria (1,516.37). Nigeria narrowly stays ahead of Tunisia (40th) and Ivory Coast (below 40th).
FIFA attributed the reshuffle to recent competitive fixtures globally and the completion of qualifying rounds.
For the Super Eagles, next on the horizon is the Africa Cup of Nations in December — a key opportunity to consolidate or improve their ranking.
Analysts say that while the move is encouraging, it hides deeper issues: inconsistent performance, reliance on limited key players and missed chances in decisive games. For fans, the ranking is a consolation, not a solution.
