Super Eagles soar to 26th in FIFA rankings after AFCON heroics

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have recorded a major leap in the latest FIFA World Rankings, climbing 12 places to 26th globally following their impressive performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

The new ranking, released on Monday, sees Nigeria rise from 38th position after a memorable AFCON campaign that ended with a third-place finish. Under the leadership of head coach Eric Chelle, the Eagles delivered a run defined by resilience and consistency, winning six of their seven matches at the tournament.

Their only setback came in the semi-final, where they narrowly lost to host nation Morocco on penalties. The team, however, responded emphatically by defeating Egypt 4–2 in the third-place playoff, underlining their attacking quality and strong mentality.

Nigeria also emerged as the biggest mover in the latest rankings, gaining an impressive 79.09 points — the highest increase recorded.

At the top of the global rankings, Spain lead the pack, followed by Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, Morocco, Belgium, and Germany.

Within Africa, Morocco remain the continent’s highest-ranked team, with Senegal second and Nigeria now firmly placed third. Algeria, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Tunisia, Congo DR, and Mali complete Africa’s top 10.

The Super Eagles’ surge highlights the growing influence of African teams on the global stage, with Nigeria’s latest rise signaling a strong return among the world’s elite.