Nigeria Hit 15-Year FIFA Ranking High as AFCON 2025 Reshapes African FootballNigeria’s Super Eagles have opened 2026 with a major statement. In the first FIFA World Rankings released after AFCON 2025, Nigeria climbed 12 places to 26th in the world, marking their highest ranking position in over 15 years. The jump confirms what many football fans already felt during the tournament in Morocco: this Super Eagles team is back among Africa’s elite.
FIFA revealed that Nigeria recorded the most ranking points gained by any national team in the world during this window, adding over 79 points to their total. It is a remarkable turnaround for a side that finished 2025 ranked 38th globally, and one that reflects both consistency and confidence across a demanding AFCON campaign.
More importantly, the ranking signals progress. For a nation that has experienced fluctuations over the past decade, this rise feels like a reset rather than a temporary spike.
Read: Pape Thiaw: 5 Things You Should Know About Senegal’s Coach
AFCON 2025 Rewarded Nigeria’s Consistency and Firepower
Nigeria’s surge up the rankings directly mirrors their performance at AFCON 2025. The Super Eagles finished third, claiming bronze after defeating Egypt in the playoff, but their impact went far beyond medals.
Across seven matches, Nigeria won five, drew two, and remained unbeaten in regulation time throughout the tournament. Their only loss came in a semi-final penalty shootout against hosts Morocco. Along the way, they defeated Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Mozambique, and Algeria, showing tactical discipline alongside attacking intent.
The numbers tell a clear story. Nigeria finished AFCON 2025 as the tournament’s highest-scoring team with 14 goals, their best return in the competition’s history. That attacking balance, paired with improved defensive organisation, caught the attention of FIFA’s ranking panel and explains the scale of the points gained.
This ranking also takes Nigeria above several continental rivals, reinforcing their status as one of Africa’s strongest teams heading into World Cup qualification and future tournaments.
Africa’s Power Shift as Morocco and Senegal Break New Ground
Nigeria were not alone in their upward movement. AFCON 2025 triggered a broader reshaping of African football’s global standing.
Morocco, despite losing the final on home soil, climbed to eighth in the world, their highest FIFA ranking ever and their first return to the global top 10 since 1998. Senegal, crowned African champions after defeating Morocco in Rabat, jumped to 12th, also setting a new national record.
Cameroon matched Nigeria’s climb in terms of ranking movement, rising 12 places to 45th, while Algeria, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, and DR Congo all recorded notable improvements. Africa now boasts nine teams inside FIFA’s top 50, an increase that underlines the continent’s growing competitiveness and depth.
At the top of the global rankings, stability remains. Spain continue to lead the world, followed by Argentina and France, but Africa’s presence near the summit is stronger than it has been in years.
Read: AFCON 2025 Awards: Mané Crowned Player of the Tournament
What This Ranking Means Going Forward
For Nigeria, this ranking is both a reward and a responsibility. It reflects momentum built in Morocco, but it also raises expectations ahead of future qualifiers and tournaments. AFCON 2027 and the 2026 FIFA World Cup now feel closer, not just in time, but in ambition.
Across Africa, AFCON 2025 has proven that continental success now carries real global weight. Rankings are shifting, reputations are rising, and African football is demanding attention on the world stage once again.
Enjoy tracking African football’s biggest moments and milestones?Follow RefinedNG for rankings, AFCON insights, and stories that go beyond the scoreline.