Nigeria drop in global standings but remain optimistic ahead of crucial qualifying campaigns
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have dropped one spot in the latest FIFA Men’s World Ranking, falling from 43rd to 44th globally.
The new rankings, published on Thursday, July 10, 2025, come after a string of mixed international results in recent weeks.
Although Nigeria managed a respectable 1-1 draw against Russia at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, the outcome was not enough to preserve their global position. While the result showed promise against a formidable European side, the lack of consistent victories ultimately affected their overall standing.
Within Africa, Nigeria now ranks fifth behind Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, and Algeria. Morocco continue to lead the continent after a series of impressive performances that further cement their status as Africa’s top-ranked team. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s struggle for upward momentum reflects the competitive nature of both the continent and the global football scene.
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FIFA’s ranking formula considers several factors, including match results, the strength of opponents, and the weight of fixture – whether friendlies or competitive games. Therefore, Nigeria’s recent matches, though steady, did not deliver the high-impact outcomes needed to advance in the standings.
World champions Argentina, on the other hand, retained their place at the summit of the rankings, thanks to consistent wins in both friendly and competitive matches.
Despite this minor setback, there remains strong belief in the Super Eagles camp. Head coach Eric Chelle, who recently named his squad for the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN), remains focused on fine-tuning the team’s structure. He is also preparing for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, which are seen as critical to the team’s resurgence.
Although Nigeria’s drop may seem slight, it serves as a timely reminder of the need for sharper tactics, greater match consistency, and clinical finishing.
Tags: Super Eagles, #SoarSuperEagles, #Team9jaStrong, FIFA rankings, Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, African Nations Championship, CHAN, Eric Chelle, 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
