FIFA Rankings: Nigeria suffers sharp decline after disappointing performances

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The latest FIFA rankings, released on Thursday, have seen Nigeria experience the most significant drop, following lacklustre performances during the recent international window.

In the November rankings, the three-time African champions fell from 36th to 44th globally, marking an 8-place decline.

The Super Eagles’ points total dropped from 1,503 to 1,482.23. Within Africa, Nigeria now ranks 5th, trailing Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, and Algeria.

Disappointing Results Impact Rankings

The Super Eagles’ poor showing in the final phase of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers contributed to their slump. They suffered a surprising 2-1 defeat at home to lowly-rated Rwanda in Uyo and managed only a 1-1 draw with Benin Republic.

Global Rankings Overview

Globally, Argentina retains the top spot, followed by France in second and Spain in third. England and Brazil occupy fourth and fifth positions, respectively.

Meanwhile, Niger made the most significant progress in the rankings, climbing nine places to 122nd globally, with a points increase of 31.23.

Football Calendar Reflected in Rankings

The updated rankings capture a busy international football calendar, including World Cup 2026 qualifiers, AFCON 2025 matches, and Nations League fixtures, highlighting the intensity of competition worldwide.