Nigeria’s Super Eagles have dropped four places to 30th in the latest FIFA Men’s World Ranking, following a difficult international window that saw the team lose ground both globally and in Africa.
The latest ranking, updated on October 7, 2026, places Nigeria sixth in Africa, down from fourth in the previous ranking. Algeria and Côte d’Ivoire have consequently moved up to fourth and fifth respectively.
The decline follows a disappointing run for Eric Chelle’s side during the recent international break. The Super Eagles narrowly defeated Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo before suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Nigeria then showed some resilience in their final outing of the window, recovering from two goals down to draw 3-3 with Russia in a friendly.
The latest figures underline the impact of the results, with Nigeria continuing to lose ranking points across successive ranking windows. Guinea-Bissau, meanwhile, emerged as the biggest points gainer in the latest update, adding 35.65 points after their impressive results.
At the top of the global ranking, world champions Spain retained first place and extended their lead over Argentina, who remain second after finishing as runners-up at the 2026 World Cup. France occupy third place.
Portugal were the biggest movers among the top 10, climbing two places to fifth and overtaking Brazil, who dropped to sixth. Morocco also slipped one place to seventh.
The latest ranking reflects a significant shift in the football landscape following the 2026 World Cup and the resumption of continental qualifying campaigns, with results continuing to reshape the positions of several teams.
For Nigeria, the four-place fall highlights the need for improved results in upcoming fixtures as the Super Eagles seek to regain their position among Africa’s leading football nations.