Eagles gain global points, boost hopes ahead of crucial World Cup playoffs
The Super Eagles have soared in the latest FIFA world rankings, reclaiming their place among the continent’s elite and stretching their lead over regional rivals Ghana and South Africa.
According to the latest figures released by FIFA, Nigeria climbed from 45th to 41st in the world, marking a significant step forward after a series of positive performances in their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. More importantly for local fans, Nigeria have now returned to the top five on the African continent; behind only Morocco (12th), Senegal (18th), Egypt (32nd), and Algeria (35th).
The new ranking reflects a steady resurgence in form and is a welcome boost to national morale after Nigeria narrowly missed out on an automatic World Cup spot earlier in the qualifiers. Despite that disappointment, recent results including a hard-fought 2–1 away win over Lesotho and a commanding 4–0 thrashing of Benin Republic, appear to have made a difference in the global standings.
While Nigeria’s climb has caught attention, it’s the gap opened between the Super Eagles and their long-standing rivals that has truly ignited buzz among fans. Ghana, who are further down the rankings, and South Africa, who currently sit 10th in Africa, have both struggled for consistency. Nigeria’s rise now puts daylight between them and these regional heavyweights.
Nigeria’s leap in the rankings came with an 11.6-point gain, moving from 1,483.86 to 1,495.64. That jump was driven by both the quality of opponents and the manner of recent victories. While these rankings are influenced by several factors; including match importance, opponent strength, and match location.
However, while the latest rankings bring celebration, they also come with a note of caution. Being back in Africa’s top five is a strong statement, but the job is far from done. The major target remains World Cup qualification, and Nigeria still face a tricky playoff route to secure their place at the global tournament. Coach Eric Chelle and his squad will know that rankings are only part of the story results on the pitch are what truly count.
For fans back home, this is more than just numbers. It’s a sign that the Super Eagles are finding their wings again and with renewed belief, Nigeria can once again dream of soaring to greater heights, both in Africa and beyond.
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