Nigeria’s Super Eagles have recorded a significant rise in the latest FIFA World Rankings, climbing to 26th out of 211 ranked national teams, according to the list published on Monday.
The impressive 12-place jump from their previous position of 38th reflects Nigeria’s strong showing at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, where the team finished third overall.
Under the guidance of head coach Eric Chelle, the Super Eagles delivered a memorable tournament, winning six of their seven matches.
Their only defeat came in the semi-finals, where they were edged out by hosts Morocco in a penalty shootout.
Nigeria quickly regrouped and showcased resilience in the third-place playoff, securing a 4–2 victory over Egypt — a performance that underlined both their attacking flair and mental strength.
The Super Eagles also recorded the largest points gain in the latest rankings, earning an additional 79.09 points to fuel their rise.
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Global football heavyweights continue to dominate the top of the FIFA chart, with Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, Morocco, Belgium and Germany rounding out the top 10.
On the African front, Morocco remain the continent’s highest-ranked nation, followed by Senegal (25th) and Nigeria (26th).
They are joined in the continental top 10 by Algeria, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Tunisia, Congo DR and Mali.
With 211 teams now ranked worldwide, Nigeria’s dramatic leap highlights the growing influence of African football on the global stage, as the Super Eagles continue to soar.