Nigeria’s Super Eagles have climbed three spots in the latest FIFA men’s world rankings, rising to 36th globally following a decisive victory over Libya in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifier. This is a major boost for the team, as they also move up to fourth place in Africa, overtaking Tunisia and Côte d’Ivoire to secure a spot among the continent’s football elite.
The ranking improvement comes as interim coach Augustine Eguavoen steers the team through a critical period of rebuilding and resurgence. After a period of inconsistency, the Super Eagles are beginning to show signs of stability and progress, much to the delight of their passionate fan base. The win over Libya earlier this month was a crucial moment in their AFCON qualification campaign, reflecting their growing cohesion under Eguavoen’s guidance.
Morocco continues to dominate the African rankings, holding the 13th spot globally. Senegal follows in 20th, with Egypt rounding out Africa’s top three in 30th place. Nigeria’s rise to 36th sees them breathing down the necks of Africa’s leading football nations, a position they’ll aim to strengthen as they gear up for more competitive fixtures.
In the last FIFA men’s world rankings, released in September, Nigeria was ranked 39th. Their current position, just ahead of Algeria in 37th place, is a testament to their recent form. The Super Eagles’ resurgence on the global stage is also notable, given the fierce competition from top-ranked African teams and the unpredictability of international football.
Globally, Argentina retains the top spot, led by Lionel Messi, followed by France in second. Spain, England, Brazil, and Belgium occupy the third through sixth positions, while Portugal, the Netherlands, Italy, and Colombia complete the top ten. These rankings highlight the ever-present dominance of European and South American teams in global football.
Several teams made significant gains in the October 2024 rankings. Algeria moved up four places to 37th, Peru climbed five spots to 38th, and Greece rose six positions to 42nd. Cameroon, which had fallen out of the top 50, returned to the global football elite at 49th.
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FIFA attributed the rankings changes to a particularly busy international football calendar, with numerous World Cup 2026 qualifiers, AFCON 2025 matches, and Nations League competitions contributing to the latest reshuffle. “Thirty-two qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 26, 47 for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025, 79 Nations League matches, and 17 friendlies were played during the recent international window, making October 2024 a particularly busy month of football,” FIFA stated.
