Nigeria’s Super Eagles have fallen out of Africa’s top five teams, according to the latest FIFA rankings released today.
The new rankings see AFCON 2023 champions, Côte d’Ivoire, surpass Nigeria to claim the fifth spot on the continent.
Despite the setback in Africa, the Super Eagles have made slight progress on the global stage, moving up one place from 44th to 43rd in the latest FIFA rankings. However, this minor improvement does little to mask the inconsistency that has plagued the team in recent months.
Nigeria’s Struggles Since AFCON 2023 Final Loss
Nigeria’s drop in the rankings comes after a series of unconvincing performances since their AFCON 2023 final defeat to Cote d’Ivoire in February. While they displayed moments of brilliance, they have struggled to maintain a winning rhythm.
In their last 11 matches across all competitions, Nigeria has managed to:
- Win 4 games
- Draw 4 games
- Lose 3 games
Their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign started on a positive note with a 2-0 away victory against Rwanda. However, their momentum was short-lived as they followed up with a disappointing 1-1 draw at home against Zimbabwe in March.
This inconsistency has been a major factor in Nigeria’s decline in the African rankings, allowing teams with stronger recent performances to overtake them.
Cote d’Ivoire’s Rise and Strong Form
In contrast, Côte d’Ivoire has been in exceptional form, winning eight of their last 11 matches. Their strong performances have played a crucial role in securing their place among Africa’s elite football nations.
Most notably, their recent 1-0 victories over Burundi and Gambia have strengthened their position in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, earning them 16 points and keeping them ahead of Gabon in their group.
As a result, Cote d’Ivoire has climbed into Africa’s top five rankings, joining:
- Morocco
- Senegal
- Egypt
- Algeria
- Cote d’Ivoire
Nigeria, which previously held the fifth position, has now fallen to sixth place, sitting just ahead of Tunisia, Cameroon, Mali, and South Africa in the continental rankings.
Global FIFA Rankings: Nigeria Sees Minor Improvement
While Nigeria has dropped in Africa’s rankings, they have made slight progress on the global stage, climbing one spot from 44th to 43rd in the latest FIFA rankings. However, this movement has not been significant enough to counter their decline on the continent.
The top 10 teams in the world remain largely unchanged, with Argentina holding onto the No. 1 spot, followed by:
- France
- England
- Brazil
- Spain
- Netherlands
- Portugal
- Belgium
- Italy
- Germany
Challenges Ahead for the Super Eagles
With the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and upcoming AFCON matches, the Super Eagles must find a way to regain their consistency if they want to reclaim their position among Africa’s top teams.
Several key areas need improvement:
- Better Defensive Organization – Nigeria has struggled with defensive lapses, which have cost them crucial points in recent matches.
- Tactical Discipline – The team must show greater tactical awareness and control in high-stakes games.
- Stronger Home Performances – The 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe at home was a missed opportunity, and the Super Eagles must ensure they maximize their advantage in home fixtures.
- Capitalizing on Early Leads – Nigeria has struggled to close out games even after taking the lead, which has led to dropped points in qualifiers.
Coach José Peseiro and his technical team must address these issues if they hope to bring Nigeria back into Africa’s top five and strengthen their chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Africa’s Current Top 10 FIFA Rankings
- Morocco
- Senegal
- Egypt
- Algeria
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Nigeria
- Tunisia
- Cameroon
- Mali
- South Africa
What’s Next for the Super Eagles?
The Super Eagles will have to step up their game in the upcoming fixtures if they hope to regain their lost ground. Strong performances in the next set of World Cup qualifiers and AFCON matches will be crucial in helping Nigeria break back into Africa’s top five and maintain a respectable global ranking.
For now, Nigeria’s drop in the African rankings serves as a wake-up call that improvement is necessary if they hope to remain competitive on the international stage.
