Super Eagles Rise in Latest FIFA Rankings Despite World Cup Play-off Exit

• Nigeria’s Super Eagles have moved up three places to 38th in the latest FIFA Rankings, despite losing on penalties to DR Congo in the World Cup play-off.

Despite falling short in the African World Cup Qualifying Play-off after losing 4–3 on penalties to DR Congo, Nigeria’s Super Eagles have climbed three places to 38th in the latest FIFA Rankings.

FIFA released the updated standings on Wednesday following the conclusion of the latest 2026 World Cup qualifiers, which featured 149 matches, including 79 friendlies.

Before the update, Nigeria sat 41st globally and fifth in Africa.

The rise is largely attributed to the Super Eagles’ impressive 4–1 victory over Gabon in the qualifiers.

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Their eventual defeat to DR Congo, decided via penalties, is officially recorded as a draw in FIFA’s ranking system.

Nigeria remains among Africa’s top five teams, behind:

• Morocco (11),
• Senegal (19),
• Egypt (34), and
• Algeria (35).

Globally, Spain, Argentina, France, and England maintained their top-four positions, while Brazil climbed to fifth, overtaking the Netherlands and Portugal. Germany and Croatia round out the top 10.