Nigeria have risen three places to 38th in the latest FIFA world rankings, offering a small lift after the Super Eagles fell short in their bid to reach the 2026 World Cup in North America.
The updated list, published on Wednesday after 149 international fixtures across the globe, reflects Nigeria’s mixed but point-gaining run during the African qualifying play-offs in Morocco.
Nigeria moved from 41st to 38th, helped largely by their 4–1 extra-time win over Gabon in the semi-finals.
Victor Osimhen struck twice and Chidera Ejuke scored his first senior international goal, securing valuable ranking points from a competitive fixture the type weighted most heavily in FIFA’s calculations.
Their campaign ended with a penalty defeat to DR Congo after a 1–1 draw in the play-off final, but Nigeria’s earlier results were enough to push them back into the world’s top 40.
Nigeria remain in Africa’s top tier
Nigeria are now 5th in Africa, with the continental top 10 seeing notable shifts:
Morocco stay top in Africa and 11th worldwide. Senegal remain 2nd in Africa but fall to 19th globally.
Egypt hold 3rd in Africa but drop to 34th in the world. Algeria rise to 35th globally and 4th on the continent.
Tunisia move up to 40th in the world, matching Nigeria’s upward trajectory. Ivory Coast sit 7th in Africa (42nd globally).
Mali fall slightly to 54th.DR Congo, buoyed by their victory over Nigeria, climb sharply to 56th. Cameroon slide three places to 57th after another inconsistent window.
With the rankings updated, FIFA has confirmed how the pots will be organised for the expanded 48-team 2026 World Cup draw.
The structure of the pots is based strictly on the latest ranking.
Pot 1 – Hosts and top-ranked nations
Pot 1 includes the three co-hosts alongside the nine highest-ranked teams:
Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.
Mexico will lead Group A and play the opening match on 11 June at Estadio Azteca.
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Canada and the United States have been placed in Groups B and D, playing the third and fourth games of the tournament on 12 June.
Pot 2 – Next 12 highest-ranked qualifiers
Croatia (10), Morocco (11), Colombia (13), Uruguay (16), Switzerland (17), Japan (18), Senegal (19), Iran (20), South Korea (22), Ecuador (23), Austria (24), Australia (26)
Pot 3 – Mid-ranking qualifiers (Nigeria’s pot)
Norway (29), Panama (30), Egypt (34), Algeria (35), Scotland (36), Paraguay (39), Tunisia (40), Ivory Coast (42), Uzbekistan (50), Qatar (51), Saudi Arabia (60), South Africa (61)
Pot 4 – Remaining qualifiers and play-off winners
Jordan (66), Cape Verde (68), Ghana (72), Curaçao (82), Haiti (84), New Zealand (86)
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Plus the European play-off winners and two inter-confederation play-off winners. FIFA will conduct the draw for those play-offs later on Thursday in Zurich.
