By Teddy Nwanunobi
Despite the Super Eagles absence at the just concluded 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, Nigeria retained their 26th position in the latest FIFA Men’s World Rankings ahead of Turkey, Australia, Algeria, Canada and Ivory Coast, who occupy 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st positions respectively in the global standings, after garnering 1,585.2 points.
According to the latest FIFA Men’s World Rankings, Nigeria, however, dropped to fourth place among African nations, following Egypt’s impressive campaign who was narrowly beaten three-two by Argentina in the Round of 16.
Daily NewsCraft reports that the Eric Chelle’s side has not featured in competitive action since June, when they suffered a two-one defeat to former European champions Portugal in an international friendly.
Nigeria’s continental slide was triggered by Egypt’s Pharaohs three-two loss to Argentina, a result that lifted them to third in Africa.
Morocco retained their position as the continent’s highest-ranked side after advancing to the quarter-finals of the tournament, with the Atlas Lions also climbing one place globally, from seventh to sixth. Senegal remain Africa’s second-ranked nation despite dropping three places in the world rankings, while Algeria slipped one place globally but held onto fifth position on the continent.
Nigeria remain the second-highest-ranked team among nations absent from the World Cup, being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, with only Denmark, ranked 21st globally, sitting higher among the absentees.
England and Chelsea great John Terry was among those to voice disappointment at Nigeria’s absence, describing the Super Eagles as a significant loss to a tournament featuring 48 nations for the first time.
Chelle’s side had finished second in Group C of the CAF World Cup qualifiers behind South Africa, who secured automatic qualification, before keeping their hopes alive with a playoff semi-final win over Gabon.
Nigeria’s campaign ended in the decisive playoff final, where they fell to the Democratic Republic of Congo on penalties, marking their second successive absence from the World Cup after also missing the 2022 edition in Qatar. The Nigeria Football Federation had challenged DR Congo’s qualification, alleging the use of ineligible players during the campaign, but the appeal was dismissed.
At the top of the global rankings, newly crowned World Cup champions Spain returned to the number one position, with Argentina dropping to second. France, England and Brazil complete the top five. The next edition of the FIFA Men’s World Rankings is scheduled for release on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.