Nigeria have dropped to forty fifth in the latest FIFA world ranking, moving down to sixth place in Africa. It means the Super Eagles are no longer in the continent’s top five teams.
Recent results have not helped. Nigeria beat Rwanda one nil in Uyo, then drew one one with South Africa in Bloemfontein. The mixed run did not lift their points, and it shows in the new table.
What it means for world cup qualifying
The Super Eagles are now third in their 2026 World Cup qualifying group. They are six points behind leaders South Africa and three points behind second placed Benin.
With this gap, Nigeria must collect points quickly to keep their World Cup dream alive.
Africa’s Current Top Order
- Morocco lead Africa and sit eleventh in the world.
- Senegal are second in Africa, eighteenth overall.
- Egypt are thirty fifth.
- Algeria are thirty eighth.
- Côte d’Ivoire are forty fourth.
All five are ahead of Nigeria, who are now forty fifth worldwide and sixth on the continent.
How it is globally
Spain are back at number one in the world. France are second. Argentina are third. England and Portugal complete the top five, while Brazil are sixth.
Elsewhere, Slovakia made the biggest jump upward. Zimbabwe had the biggest slide, falling nine places to one hundred and twenty fifth.
What comes next
FIFA will release the next ranking on October twenty three. Before then, Nigeria face two important qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin. Strong results in those games can lift the Super Eagles back up the African table and improve their World Cup path.