Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, have dropped one position to 44th in the latest FIFA World Rankings released on Thursday, despite earning 2.91 additional points to reach a new total of 1484.26. The minor shift in global standing highlights how competitive the rankings have become, as even positive performances are sometimes insufficient to maintain or improve placement.

This latest update reflects matches played during the most recent FIFA international window, which included qualification rounds, friendly encounters, and preparatory fixtures for upcoming tournaments.

Super Eagles’ Recent Matches Not Enough to Hold Position

The Super Eagles entered the rankings at 43rd in the previous edition, having displayed a mix of form in recent outings—drawing two matches and winning one. Although these results contributed to their overall points gain, it wasn’t enough to fend off upward movement by other nations.

Nigeria now finds itself sandwiched between Paraguay, who climbed slightly to 43rd, and Côte d’Ivoire, who slipped to 45th after a disappointing match window. Côte d’Ivoire lost crucial points, falling four spots with a new total of 1483.45, just 0.81 points behind Nigeria.

The Super Eagles’ performance continues to draw attention amid growing anticipation ahead of their future matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025. Many fans and analysts expected more progress given Nigeria’s talent pool and recent consistency, but the team will need to secure victories in more competitive fixtures to significantly move up the global ladder.

Argentina Still World Number One Despite Slight Decline

At the top of the rankings, Argentina retained the world number one spot with only a marginal 0.8-point decrease, underscoring their consistent dominance in international football. The reigning World Cup champions continue to enjoy the benefits of long-term squad stability and strong results under manager Lionel Scaloni.

However, Spain emerged as the biggest mover within the top five, surging to second place after gaining 12.45 points. The Spanish national team has impressed with a string of strong performances, including a commanding run in the UEFA Nations League and Euro 2024 qualifiers. Their leap displaced France, who now sit third despite their strong squad depth and tournament experience.

Completing the top five are England, in fourth, and Brazil, in fifth. Both teams maintained solid form, although Brazil continues to recover from inconsistent results following their managerial transition and a series of injury challenges among key players.

Portugal and the Netherlands Make Moves in Top 10

Further down the elite rankings, Portugal climbed to 6th place, trading positions with Germany, who dropped one place to 9th despite maintaining their total point tally. Portugal recorded the highest points gain among the top ten with a +20.45 increase, largely due to recent wins in competitive matches that boosted their coefficient.

The Netherlands also improved by one position to reach 7th, continuing their resurgence after an underwhelming World Cup campaign. Meanwhile, Belgium held firm at 8th, showcasing steady, if not spectacular, progress as they prepare for a new era following the retirement of several key players.

In contrast, Italy dropped to 11th following a disappointing match window that saw them lose 15.73 points, costing them two places. The defending European champions are now under increased pressure to rebuild and find consistency ahead of Euro 2024.

Mexico and USA Lead North American Rise

Among the most notable changes within the top 20, Mexico made the biggest leap, climbing four positions to 13th, gaining a significant 42.79 points. Their resurgence was driven by strong performances in CONCACAF matches and a revitalized squad blending youth and experience.

Similarly, the United States national team gained momentum with a points increase of more than 20, reflecting consistent results in regional tournaments and friendlies against top-tier opposition. The USA’s steady climb continues as they prepare to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Norway, another strong performer during the international window, also gained more than 20 points. Their rise reflects the growing influence of star players like Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard, who have become central to the team’s progress on the European stage.

Côte d’Ivoire Drops, Ghana Holds, and South Africa Improves Slightly

In Africa, Côte d’Ivoire’s fall to 45th underscores the pressure on the reigning AFCON champions to maintain consistency. After their historic title win on home soil earlier this year, expectations have risen, and their recent setbacks in friendlies and qualifiers have cost them ground in the rankings.

Elsewhere, Ghana maintained a relatively stable position in the global rankings, hovering in the mid-50s, while South Africa saw a slight improvement following a series of positive results. These movements illustrate the tight competition within the continent, where even minor changes in match results can produce noticeable effects on global standings.

Africa’s Top Teams Still Lag Behind Europe and South America

Despite strong talent and fan support, most African nations continue to trail behind their European and South American counterparts in the rankings. While teams like Morocco, Senegal, and Nigeria remain in the top 50, breaking into the top 30 has proven elusive for the majority of CAF members.

Football experts attribute this to a combination of factors, including limited access to high-ranking opponents for friendly matches, inconsistent federation support, and infrastructure challenges across many African countries.

San Marino Remains at the Bottom

At the other end of the spectrum, San Marino continues to occupy the lowest position in FIFA’s 210-team ranking. With just 738.24 points, the tiny European nation remains rooted in last place, a position it has held for years due to a lack of competitive success on the international stage.

How FIFA Rankings Are Calculated

FIFA updates its world rankings periodically, taking into account the results of official international matches. These include friendlies, World Cup qualifiers, continental tournaments, and other sanctioned games.

The formula used to determine the rankings assigns point values based on the strength of the opponent, the importance of the match, and whether the result was a win, loss, or draw. The rankings are used for tournament seedings, group placements, and to gauge overall team performance over time.

For countries like Nigeria, consistent victories in competitive fixtures, especially against higher-ranked opponents, are essential to achieving meaningful upward mobility in the rankings.

What Lies Ahead for the Super Eagles

Looking ahead, the Super Eagles must focus on improving their form in upcoming World Cup qualifiers and international friendlies. With several star players performing well in Europe and a passionate fan base pushing for better results, Nigeria has the potential to climb the global ladder—provided it can maintain cohesion and focus under new coaching leadership.

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) faces pressure to support the team with better preparation, exposure, and technical resources to boost global competitiveness.

For now, the Super Eagles will view the slight drop as a call to action rather than a setback, knowing that with consistent performance, they can still break into the top 30 ahead of AFCON 2025 and the 2026 World Cup.