Nigeria will head into the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations among the continent’s leading sides after finishing the year sixth in Africa in FIFA’s final world rankings.
The Super Eagles are ranked 38th globally in the December standings, maintaining both their world position and their continental placing as preparations continue for the tournament, which begins this week.
It marks a steady end to a year of mixed results for Nigeria, who close 2025 six places higher than where they started.
The rankings offer a snapshot of the Super Eagles’ position as they prepare to open their AFCON campaign against Tanzania on Tuesday, before further Group C matches against Tunisia and Uganda.
Nigeria began the year ranked 44th in the world. A modest rise followed in April, when they moved up to 43rd, but that progress stalled over the middle of the year. The team slipped back to 44th in July and then to 45th in September.
Ola Aina in action for the Super Eagles against Rwanda in the World Qualifiers in Uyo. Photo Credit: Imago
October proved to be a turning point. Nigeria climbed four places to 41st, their biggest single rise of the year and their sharpest climb since February 2024, when they surged following their run to the AFCON final in Côte d’Ivoire.
Further progress came in November, with a three-place jump to 38th, a position they retain heading into the continental tournament.
On the African rankings, Morocco remain the continent’s top side, sitting 11th in the world. Senegal are second in Africa and 19th globally, while Algeria’s rise to 34th has pushed Egypt down to 35th and fifth on the continent.
Eric Chelle alongside Victor Osimehn in the Super Eagles training session.Photo Credit: NFF COMM
Tunisia are ranked 41st in the world and seventh in Africa, just below the Super Eagles. Despite an uneven end to the year, the Carthage Eagles have made significant progress overall, having started 2025 outside the world’s top 50.
Uganda finish the year ranked 85th, a slight improvement on their position at the start of the year, while Tanzania endured a difficult campaign, dropping further down the rankings by December.
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Nigeria’s group schedule begins against Tanzania on Tuesday, followed by a key meeting with Tunisia on 27 December, before concluding against Uganda on 30 December.
Super Eagles. Photo Credit: NFF/COMMS
At the top of the global standings, the world’s top 10 remained unchanged. Spain finish 2025 as the number one ranked team, ahead of Argentina and France, with England fourth and Brazil fifth.
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The next FIFA World Rankings are due to be released on 19 January 2026, the day after the AFCON final, when Nigeria will hope their performances on the continental stage have lifted them further up the ladder.
