Super Eagles drop to fifth in Africa, 38th position in FIFA ranking

Super Eagles’ recent struggles in the ongoing 2026 World Cup African qualifying series has rubbed off on the country’s rating in world football as Nigeria has dropped to the 38th position in the latest FIFA ranking.

After a timid draw with South Africa in Uyo on June 7, the Super Eagles suffered a first ever defeat to Benin Republic in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire three days later to sit on the fifth position in a six-team Group C of the series.

These poor showing came into play when FFA released its latest rankings with the Super Eagles also falling to fifth from third in Africa’s rating.

Morocco moved up one place as the best team in Africa, placing 12th globally. They are followed by Senegal (18th), Egypt (36th), and Cote d’Ivoire (37th) in second, third, and fourth respectively on the continental rankings.

In the world ranking, Argentina, France, Belgium, Brazil, and England occupy the first five positions respectively.

The rankings were calculated based on World Cup qualifiers in Asia, Africa, South America, North America, Oceania and the build up to the Euro 2024, as well as Copa América, which have seen more than 187 national team bouts around the world.

In Africa, Ghana moved from 68 to 64, while Nigeria’s conquerors, Benin republic, moved from 97 to 91, but the highest mover is Namibia, which moved from 106 to 97.

Liberia, which has not lost any game in 2024, is ranked 142, up 10 places from 152.