Nigeria has experienced a notable decline in the latest FIFA World Rankings, dropping to the 38th position as announced on Thursday by the world football governing body.
The Super Eagles now hold 1498.93 points, a reduction from their previous tally of 1520.27 points. This shift marks a significant change in the global football hierarchy, highlighting the challenges Nigeria faces on the international stage.
Previously ranked 30th, Nigeria’s descent follows their performance in two matches after the African Cup of Nations, where they finished as runners-up after a 2-1 defeat to the host nation.
In recent fixtures, the Super Eagles managed a 1-1 draw against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and suffered a 2-1 loss to Benin Republic in a match held in Ivory Coast.
These results have cast doubt on Nigeria’s prospects for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, as the nation struggled to secure victories in these critical encounters.
Meanwhile, Argentina has retained its top position in the rankings, reinforcing its status as the premier football nation globally.
The South American powerhouse gained 2.14 points, bringing their total to 1860.14, reflecting their consistent high-level performance in recent tournaments.
The FIFA rankings are determined using the Elo model, which takes into account team strength, match importance, and results.
Liberia emerged as the most significant climber in the rankings, ascending 10 positions to a new high of 142nd. Liberia also accumulated the most points, gaining 37.47 points.
Conversely, Equatorial Guinea experienced the most substantial drop, falling 10 positions and losing 47.53 points, marking a significant downturn in their ranking.
Notably, the second and third spots in the latest ranking remain unchanged, with France and Belgium maintaining their respective positions.
