The Super Eagles of Nigeria have climbed to 26th in the latest FIFA men’s world rankings, their highest position in 16 years, following a strong run at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Hosts Morocco also broke into the top 10 for the first time since 1998, reflecting the significant impact of the tournament on African football.
Eric Chelle’s boys were among the biggest movers in the January 2026 FIFA ranking, rising 12 places after securing the bronze medal in the continental competition.
Their previous highest ranking was in May 2010, when they were ranked 21st in the world.
Nigeria played seven matches during the ranking window, recording six wins and one loss.
Their campaign included a 4–0 victory over Mozambique in the round of 16, a 2–0 quarter-final win against Algeria and a dramatic semi-final defeat to hosts Morocco on penalties after a goalless draw.
The Eagles bounced back in the third-place match, holding Egypt to another scoreless draw before winning 4–2 on penalties to secure the bronze medal.
FIFA confirmed that Nigeria gained 79.09 ranking points, the highest points increase of any nation in the latest update, which underlines the impact of their AFCON performances.
Morocco, despite losing the final to Senegal in extra time, climbed three places to eighth, their highest-ever position and their first return to the top 10 since April 1998.
Senegal’s triumph saw them rise seven places to 12th, also a national best.
At the top of the ranking, Spain remain number one, followed by world champions Argentina and France.
Morocco’s rise into the top 10 came at the expense of Croatia, Belgium and Germany, who all dropped places.
Elsewhere in Africa, Cameroon and Nigeria recorded the joint biggest climb by ranking positions, each moving up 12 places, while Algeria rose to 28th, Egypt to 31st and Ivory Coast to 37th.
CAF now has nine teams inside the world’s top 50, two more than at the end of 2025.
