Nigeria’s Super Eagles have made a significant leap in global football standings, rising to 26th place in the latest FIFA World Ranking released on Monday. The move represents a remarkable 12-place jump from their previous position of 38th, following an impressive campaign at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

The surge in rankings comes on the back of Nigeria’s third-place finish at the continental showpiece, where the team delivered one of their most consistent performances in recent years. Under the stewardship of head coach Eric Chelle, the Super Eagles won six of their seven matches, demonstrating tactical discipline, resilience, and attacking quality throughout the tournament.

Their only loss came in the semi-finals, where they were edged out by host nation Morocco in a closely contested encounter decided by penalties. Nigeria, however, responded strongly, defeating Egypt 4–2 in the third-place playoff to end the tournament on a high note.

FIFA’s latest update also shows that Nigeria recorded the highest points gain globally, earning an additional 79.09 points. The achievement underscores the impact of their AFCON campaign on the international stage.

At the top of the global rankings, traditional football powerhouses continue to dominate, with Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, Morocco, Belgium, and Germany occupying the top 10 positions.

On the African continent, Morocco lead the rankings, followed by Senegal and Nigeria in third place. Algeria, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Tunisia, DR Congo, and Mali complete Africa’s top 10.

Nigeria’s rise in the FIFA rankings highlights the growing strength of African football and signals renewed optimism around the Super Eagles as they continue to assert themselves among the world’s elite teams.