Nigeria has jumped three places to 38th in the latest FIFA World Rankings released Wednesday, giving the Super Eagles a small boost after missing out on the 2026 World Cup.
The rise follows recent matches in the African play off series, including a 4 1 win over Gabon and a 1 1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo, which eventually ended in a penalty shootout loss.
With 1,502.46 points, Nigeria now ranks fifth in Africa. The top four nations on the continent remain unchanged.
The improvement offers some consolation for fans still frustrated by the World Cup miss. Nigeria had taken an early lead in the decisive play off in Rabat through Frank Onyeka before being forced into penalties.
The timing of the new rankings is key as the Super Eagles prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco this December. A strong outing at AFCON could help the team climb even higher.
Globally, Spain stays number one, with Argentina and France completing the top three.
