Falcons Hold 36th Spot in FIFA Rankings Ahead of WAFCON

While the men’s team processes World Cup heartbreak, Nigeria’s women continue to lead the continent with quiet consistency.

The Super Falcons have maintained their position as Africa’s highest ranked women’s football team, securing 36th place globally in the latest FIFA rankings released this week. The ranking comes at an important time, with the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, known as WAFCON, approaching later in the year. For a Nigerian football landscape still recovering from World Cup disappointment, the Super Falcons’ continued excellence offers a welcome source of national pride.

A Position They Have Earned

Nigeria’s women’s national team has long been the standard bearer for African football at the global level. Multiple WAFCON titles and consistent World Cup qualifications have built a legacy that the current generation of players continues to honour. Their 36th place global ranking reflects sustained performance rather than a single good tournament.

Furthermore, the ranking places them comfortably ahead of other strong African sides, reinforcing Nigeria’s status as the continental benchmark in the women’s game. That standing brings both pride and pressure as WAFCON approaches.

Preparing for WAFCON 2026

With the tournament drawing closer, attention now turns to how coach and squad will prepare to defend Nigeria’s reputation as Africa’s most successful women’s football nation. Previous WAFCON campaigns have shown that Nigeria remains capable of going all the way. However, competition from Morocco, South Africa, and Zambia has intensified in recent editions.

As a result, maintaining the top ranking on paper will mean little if it is not converted into results on the pitch when the tournament begins. The Super Falcons will need to manage expectations carefully while channelling the weight of history that comes with their position.

A Bright Spot Amid Difficult Times

Nigerian football has endured a challenging year, marked by the Super Eagles’ second consecutive World Cup absence. Against that backdrop, the Super Falcons’ continued excellence provides a much needed counterbalance.

For Nigerian fans, the message is simple. While the men’s side rebuilds, the women’s team continues to fly the flag at the highest level. That consistency deserves recognition, and WAFCON will be the next opportunity for the Super Falcons to remind the continent exactly why they remain on top.