Nigeria’s Super Eagles have recorded an unexpected rise in the latest FIFA ranking, moving up three places despite missing out on a spot at the 2026 World Cup.
The new list, released on Thursday, November 20, placed Nigeria in 38th position globally.
Moreover, the improvement surprised many fans who had anticipated a drop following recent results.
The FIFA ranking surprise came even though Nigeria did not qualify for the upcoming global tournament.
The team had been in 41st place in October, and the new boost shows that their performances in recent games were still valued.
However, Nigeria remain fifth in Africa, sitting behind Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, and Algeria, who all kept strong regional positions.
During the period reviewed by FIFA, the Super Eagles played two competitive matches.
They secured a convincing 4-1 win over the Panthers of Gabon in the semi-final of their playoff round.
In addition, their final against the Leopards of DR Congo ended dramatically, with Nigeria losing 4-3 on penalties.
FIFA’s global table also recorded major changes.
Spain held on to the number one spot, followed by Argentina, France, and England in that order.
Furthermore, Brazil climbed two places to fifth, overtaking both Portugal and the Netherlands.
Portugal slipped to sixth, while the Netherlands dropped to seventh. Belgium stayed eighth, and Germany and Croatia completed the top 10.
Meanwhile, football followers across Africa have noted that Nigeria’s movement was influenced by how FIFA weighs recent performances.
Therefore, the unexpected boost may encourage the team as they prepare for future WAFCON qualifiers and international friendlies.
