Super Falcons hold 36th spot in FIFA rankings despite winning 10th WAFCON title

Despite their historic triumph at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, Nigeria’s Super Falcons have failed to climb the global ladder in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Rankings, remaining firmly in 36th position.

The updated rankings, released on Thursday, August 7, come as a surprise to many fans and analysts who had hoped that the Falcons’ 10th WAFCON crown would push them closer to the top 30. Instead, Nigeria continues to lead African women’s football but struggles to make the same impact on the international stage.

During the recent WAFCON tournament, the Super Falcons delivered a stellar performance, defeating top sides such as South Africa, Zambia, and hosts Morocco. Their unbeaten run brought renewed pride to the nation and reinforced their dominance in African football. Yet, with 1630.83 points, the team still fell short of surpassing their highest-ever FIFA ranking of 25th, last achieved over 20 years ago.

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The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) acknowledged the paradox of continental dominance without global progress. A senior official, speaking anonymously, noted that while the team remains Africa’s pride, more must be done to elevate Nigeria’s global status.

“We take pride in the Super Falcons’ consistency and their accomplishments in Africa,” the official said. “However, this ranking tells us that we need to challenge ourselves more globally, by playing against higher-ranked opponents, traveling more, and increasing our investment in women’s football.”

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Nigeria remains the number one women’s team in Africa, ahead of South Africa (54th), Morocco (64th), and Zambia (65th). However, the latest FIFA update signals the rise of fierce competition on the continent, with several nations closing the gap on Nigeria’s long-held supremacy.

Globally, the rankings saw Spain reclaim the top position after a dominant display at the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, pushing the United States into second. France moved up to sixth, while Brazil, despite retaining its South American title, dropped to seventh. Bangladesh recorded the biggest leap, jumping 24 places to 104th after an impressive run in the AFC Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

For Nigeria, however, movement has been modest. The Super Falcons reached a high of 32nd in 2023 but fell to 45th in 2022 before settling at 36th this year. Analysts argue that returning to the top tier will require a deliberate shift in strategy, including more frequent fixtures against top-tier teams, international friendlies, and greater exposure to elite-level football.

As the December 11, 2025, update looms, all eyes will be on how the Falcons respond to the challenge of bridging the gap between continental brilliance and global recognition.