Super Eagles Hit New Heights: Nigeria Jumps 12 Places to 26th in FIFA Rankings, Best Position Since 2010

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Nigeria’s Super Eagles have made a powerful statement on the global football stage, soaring 12 places to 26th in the latest FIFA Men’s World Rankings released on Monday—Nigeria’s highest position in 16 years.

The surge follows the Super Eagles’ impressive campaign at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, where the team finished third and claimed the bronze medal after an outstanding run under head coach Eric Chelle.

FIFA revealed that Nigeria recorded a massive 79.09-point gain in the January 2026 rankings—the biggest increase by any national team worldwide. The points boost reflects a dominant AFCON performance in which the Super Eagles won six of their seven matches and remained unbeaten in regulation time throughout the tournament.

Nigeria’s run included a commanding 2-0 victory over Algeria in the quarter-finals and a dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout win against Egypt in the third-place playoff. Their only defeat came in the semi-finals, where they narrowly lost on penalties to host nation Morocco.

The new ranking places Nigeria as the third-best national team in Africa, behind AFCON champions Senegal, who are ranked 12th globally, and runners-up Morocco, who climbed to eighth place—the highest ranking in their history. The Super Eagles now sit ahead of traditional African heavyweights Algeria (28th) and Egypt (31st), underlining their return to the continent’s elite.

The rise has sparked widespread excitement among fans and football analysts, many of whom have praised the team’s discipline, resilience and tactical clarity as key factors behind the resurgence. FIFA also listed Nigeria among the biggest movers in the latest update, alongside Cameroon, who also climbed 12 places.

Although Nigeria did not qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the ranking leap is being seen as a strong foundation for rebuilding and future international success. The next FIFA ranking update is scheduled for April 1, 2026, following the March international window.

Nigeria Football Federation officials and supporters have welcomed the development as a clear sign that the three-time AFCON champions are firmly back on the rise.

With this latest climb, the Super Eagles have sent a bold message to world football—Nigeria is ready to reclaim its place among the global elite.