Nigeria’s Super Eagles have climbed to 26th place in the latest FIFA World Ranking, released on Monday, marking a significant rise on the global football stage.
According to the ranking published on FIFA’s official website, the Super Eagles recorded a remarkable 12-place jump from 38th to 26th, gaining an additional 79.09 points. The surge follows Nigeria’s impressive performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
The Eric Chelle-led side finished third at the tournament after edging Egypt in the third-place playoff match last Saturday. Nigeria lost just one of their seven matches during the competition, suffering a semi-final defeat to host nation Morocco via penalty shootout. Their overall campaign was widely praised for its cohesion, discipline, and teamwork.
In the global rankings, the top 10 positions remain occupied by familiar names: Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, Morocco, Belgium, and Germany.
On the African continent, Morocco leads the rankings, followed by Senegal, Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Tunisia, DR Congo, and Mali.
The Super Eagles’ strong showing at AFCON 2025 has further cemented Nigeria’s status as a rising force in African football, blending homegrown talent with international experience and drawing global attention.
The Federal Government has commended the team for their resilience and fighting spirit. In a statement, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, praised the players for demonstrating discipline, unity, and determination throughout the tournament.
“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,” the minister said.
