Nigeria’s Super Eagles have dropped to 45th in the latest FIFA Men’s World Rankings. Equaling their lowest decline in six years. The slip from 44th to 45th marks their worst global ranking since June 2019, when they also occupied the same spot, just above their 46th-place low recorded in February that year.The decline leaves Nigeria outside the world’s top 40 and still in sixth place on the African chart, trailing Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, and Ivory Coast.
FIFA explained that the latest update considered over 200 international fixtures, with Nigeria’s inconsistent results heavily influencing their slide.
During the review period, the Eagles played five matches, winning only two, losing two, and drawing once. A significant setback came at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Tanzania, where Eric Chelle’s home-based squad exited at the group stage. They lost 1-0 to Senegal, suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to Sudan, and managed only a 2-0 win over Congo in their final game.
The senior team fared slightly better in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Nigeria edged Rwanda 1-0 in Uyo with a goal from Tolu Arokodare and later earned a 1-1 draw away to South Africa. However, those results did not provide enough points to maintain or improve their global ranking.
Elsewhere in Africa, Morocco consolidated their dominance, moving up to 11th in the world after lifting the CHAN trophy. Senegal climbed to 18th, Egypt stayed 35th, while Algeria slipped to 38th. Ivory Coast rose to 44th, just above Nigeria, as Tunisia jumped to 46th.
On the global stage, Spain reclaimed top spot for the first time since 2014, ahead of France and Argentina. The update paints a worrying picture for Nigeria, who now sit third in their World Cup qualifying group. With decisive fixtures against Lesotho and Benin in October, anything short of back-to-back wins could deepen their crisis.
