The Super Eagles of Nigeria have dropped one spot in the latest FIFA ranking released yesterday by the world football governing body.
Nigeria’s indifferent campaign in the ongoing 2026 World Cup qualifying series has seen the Super Eagles drop from 44th to 45th in the world and sixth in Africa to mark the country’s lowest ranking in five years.
African champions, Cote d’Ivoire, have overtaken Nigeria, both in the world and continental ranking, with the Elephants now 44th and fifth in Africa.
Nigeria’s nemesis in Group C of the African qualifying series, South Africa and the Benin Republic, are among the gainers in the ranking, with the Bafana Bafana moving from 75th to 55th.
Benin Republic have also moved to 93rd, while Zimbabwe dropped to 125th, Rwanda stayed 127th, and Lesotho slid to 153rd.
Morocco is still Africa’s top-ranked side, climbing to 11th in the world, leapfrogging Germany, while Senegal follow at 18th. The Atlas Lions have already sealed World Cup qualification with two matches to spare.
Egypt, Algeria, and Côte d’Ivoire complete Africa’s top five, with Nigeria now slipping to sixth on the continent.
Spain are the new number one, ending Argentina’s reign at the summit. France sit second, with Argentina third, England fourth, and Portugal fifth. Brazil, once a perennial leader, are now sixth.