Nigeria’s Super Eagles have slipped out of Africa’s top five football teams in the latest FIFA world rankings, despite making a slight global improvement. According to the rankings released on Thursday, Nigeria moved up one spot to 43rd worldwide but dropped to sixth place on the continent.
The shift comes as Ivory Coast, winners of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), surged five places to 41st globally, surpassing Nigeria in the African rankings.
The Super Eagles’ inconsistent form in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers has contributed to their decline, as they currently sit fourth in Group C with seven points from six matches. Their most recent result, a 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe, further hindered their qualification hopes.
Morocco continues to lead as Africa’s highest-ranked team, followed by Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, and Ivory Coast. On the global stage, Argentina remains the top-ranked team, while Spain has overtaken France to claim second place. FIFA’s next rankings update is set for July 10.
