In a positive development for Nigerian football, the Super Eagles have made a significant leap in the global standings. The latest FIFA world rankings, released on Wednesday, 19 November 2025, show Nigeria's men's national team climbing three places to secure the 38th position worldwide.
Details of Nigeria's Ascent
The ranking update, which factored in 149 national-team matches played globally, reflects Nigeria's recent performances in competitive fixtures. The Super Eagles secured a 4–1 victory over Gabon and fought to a 1–1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo in an African play-off for the 2026 World Cup. Despite the draw ending in a 4–3 penalty defeat that cost Nigeria a spot at the expanded 48-team tournament, the collective results provided enough momentum for the team to improve its ranking.
Nigeria now possesses 1,502.46 ranking points, solidifying its position as the fifth-best team in Africa. The continental hierarchy is currently led by Morocco with 1,713.12 points, followed by Senegal in 19th place globally with 1,648.07 points. Egypt and Algeria sit just above Nigeria in 34th and 35th places with 1,520.68 and 1,516.37 points respectively. Close rivals Tunisia are hot on Nigeria's heels at 40th place with 1,497.13 points.
Global Ranking Shake-up
The global football landscape saw notable movements beyond Africa. Spain maintains the top position with 1,877.18 points, with world champions Argentina and France close behind in second and third. In a significant shift, Brazil rose two places to claim fifth position globally with 1,760.46 points, moving ahead of European powerhouses Portugal and the Netherlands.
Other notable changes include:
- Croatia entered the top ten, rising to tenth place.
- The United States rose to 14th, surpassing 2026 World Cup co-hosts Mexico.
- Uzbekistan returned to the top 50 after a nine-year absence.
Road Ahead for the Super Eagles
This ranking update arrives just ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled for December in Morocco. The tournament presents a golden opportunity for the Super Eagles to consolidate or even improve their position in the global standings. A strong performance on the continental stage could propel the team further up the FIFA rankings, offering a measure of consolation after the World Cup qualification disappointment.
The play-off in Rabat had begun promisingly for Nigeria, with Frank Onyeka scoring an early goal, but Elia Meschack's equalizer for DR Congo and the subsequent penalty shoot-out ultimately denied the Super Eagles a place at the tournament to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
