Nigeria’s Super Eagles have climbed to 45th place in the latest FIFA ranking, emerging as the highest-ranked team heading into the 2026 World Cup Intercontinental Playoffs. The new ranking follows their commanding 4-0 win over Benin Republic in the African qualifiers, a result that reaffirmed Nigeria’s dominance on the continent.
With this position, the Super Eagles will go into next month’s African playoffs in Morocco as the top-seeded team. If they advance through the playoff stage, they will need to win only one more match to secure a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The updated ranking places Nigeria ahead of several strong teams, including Costa Rica (47), Cameroon (52), Iraq (58), DR Congo (60), United Arab Emirates (67), Jamaica (69), Bolivia (77), Gabon (79), Curacao (86), and New Caledonia (150).
The Super Eagles’ first test in Morocco will be against Gabon, led by former Arsenal and Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, on November 13. A win would see Nigeria face the victor between Cameroon and DR Congo in the final playoff round, a match that will determine who advances to the Intercontinental final playoffs scheduled to hold in Mexico next year.
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If Nigeria triumphs in the African playoffs, their high global ranking gives them a major advantage in the intercontinental stage, where they will face a lower-ranked team for a spot in the World Cup.
Meanwhile, defender Semi Ajayi will miss the opening playoff match against Gabon after receiving a second yellow card during the qualifiers. The Hull City defender was booked in the home fixture against Lesotho and again in Tuesday’s victory over Benin in Uyo, triggering an automatic suspension.
The Super Eagles, buoyed by their latest performance and rising global standing, now carry the hopes of millions of Nigerians as they aim for a record-breaking qualification campaign.
