Super Eagles Climb to 24th in FIFA Rankings, Highest in 16 Years

They are not at the World Cup. However, the world’s official rankings now place Nigeria higher than they have stood in sixteen years.

Nigeria’s senior men’s national team moved up two places to 24th in the latest FIFA World Rankings, marking the Super Eagles’ highest position in nearly two decades. The improvement comes despite the team’s continued absence from the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup taking place across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

A Climb That Reflects Steady Progress

Coach Eric Chelle’s side has now moved to second place among African nations, trailing only Morocco. That places Nigeria ahead of Senegal in the current cycle, a notable shift given Senegal’s active participation in this year’s World Cup. Morocco remains Africa’s top ranked side at sixth globally, while Senegal sits at 16th.

The rise builds on Nigeria’s strong showing at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where the Super Eagles climbed twelve places after securing a bronze medal finish. Furthermore, their recent June friendlies against Poland and Portugal, though producing mixed results, contributed additional points within FIFA’s ranking calculations.

The June Window in Numbers

Nigeria played out a competitive 2-2 draw with Poland in Warsaw before suffering a narrow 2-1 defeat to Portugal in Leiria. Despite the loss to Portugal, the manner of the performance, including Alex Iwobi reaching his 100th international cap, demonstrated genuine progress in Chelle’s rebuilding project.

As a result, the ranking improvement reflects more than just one result. It captures a sustained pattern of competitive performances against quality opposition, even in matches that did not end in victory.

Why This Matters Going Forward

Nigeria’s 2027 AFCON qualification campaign begins in September, and FIFA rankings directly influence the seeding structure for that draw. A stronger ranking position gives Nigeria a more favourable pot, potentially easing their path through the qualification group stage.

For Nigerian football fans still processing the disappointment of missing a second consecutive World Cup, this ranking achievement offers a different kind of validation. The Super Eagles may not be in Mexico, Canada, or the United States this summer. However, on paper, they remain one of the strongest squads on the entire African continent.