Super Eagles make significant rise in FIFA rankings
Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has translated into a major global ranking breakthrough, as the Super Eagles surged 12 places in the January 2026 FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking to 26th in the world.
By gaining 79.09 points in the period under review, Nigeria was adjudged the team with the highest number of points accumulated.
The dramatic rise follows Nigeria’s bronze-medal finish at AFCON 2025, where they went unbeaten in seven matches, recording five wins and two draws in regulation time.
Only finalists Senegal and Morocco generated bigger continental headlines, but Nigeria’s leap ranks among the most remarkable movements in the new rankings, matched only by Cameroon’s 12-place climb after reaching the quarter-finals.
The Super Eagles’ rise underlines the strength of their AFCON showing, where they combined tactical discipline with attacking flair, reminding the world of their pedigree.
While Senegal’s triumph pushed them up to a career-high 12th place and Morocco returned to the top 10 at eighth, Nigeria’s return to the world’s top 30 signals a strong revival and renewed confidence heading into future competitions.
With nine African teams now in the world’s top 50, CAF’s growing influence is evident, and Nigeria’s resurgence stands out as one of the brightest success stories of the African showpiece.
