Nigeria’s score draw with Saudi Arabia and a marginal win against ‘minnows’ Mozambique in a FIFA window in Portugal didn’t add any value to Super Eagles standings in the latest FIFA Ranking released yesterday.
Eagles remained static at 40th spot.
Current World Cup holders, Argentina, maintained their top position even as the Lionel Messi led Albiceleste are yet to lose a game nor concede a goal since winning the mundial last December in Qatar.
In the African ratings, Jose Peseiro’s wards remain sixth with Morocco leading the way. AFCON 2021 winners Senegal are second while Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt make up the Top 5. Nigeria, Cameroon, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso complete the Top 10 in the continent.
While most pundits may not be impressed with Nigeria’s position on the log, Eagles opponents on Match-day one of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Lesotho, dropped to 153rd spot in the latest ranking.
Zimbabwe, who will host the Super Eagles in Match-day two of the World Cup qualifiers are standing at 125th.
Other teams in the Super Eagles World Cup qualifying group, South Africa, Rwanda and Benin Republic are ranked 64th, 140th and 93rd respectively.
In all, no fewer than 165 international matches were contested earlier this month, with 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers accounting for 26 of the lot in the continent.
Other criteria used for the rating include encounters in the preliminary rounds of continental competitions and Concacaf Nations League clashes among the highlights.
The next FIFA World Ranking will be published on 30 November and the results of Super Eagles’ matches in the qualifying tournament will determine the position of the team on the log.
Source: