Nigeria suffer massive drop in latest FIFA rankings

Super Eagles’ drop from 36th in the world to 44th in the latest FIFA rankings has seen them record the biggest drop among other countries for November, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Nigeria’s eight-place drop in the latest rankings released on the football governing body website on Thursday has seen the three-time African champions make their biggest decline in recent years.

The Eagles’ drop was largely due to their poor outing in the last international window, where they suffered an embarrassing 2-1 defeat at home to Rwanda in the last phase of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Austin Eguavoen’s men saw their unbeaten run during the qualifying series ended by the Amavubi at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

Before the defeat to the East Africans, the Eagles had laboured to a 1-1 draw with the Benin Republic at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

Though the point earned them a place at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco it contributed to the country’s substantial decline in global football standing.

On the information provided on the FIFA website, Argentina remained the top-ranked team while Niger are the biggest climber, moving up from 131st position to 122nd, while also scoring the most points (31.23) in the latest rankings.

Meanwhile, Comoros are the newest highest-ranked team climbing to 103rd while DR Congo lost the most points (35.53)

Nigeria’s eight-place drop in the world has seen them ranked fifth in Africa, moving one place down from their previous fourth position.

This is the Eagles’ biggest drop since February 2024 when they moved from 42nd in the world to 28th and third on the continent to record their best leap since 2013.

Morocco retained their number one spot on the continent despite dropping one place to 14th in the world. They are followed by second-place Senegal, who moved up three places to rank 17th in the world.

Egypt maintained their third spot on the continent but dropped three places in the world with the Pharaohs now placed 33rd globally.

Algeria leapfrogged Nigeria to occupy the fourth position and retained their 37th position in the world.

Meanwhile, World Cup winners, Argentina, remains the number one ranked side despite losing a game to Paraguay in the qualifiers.

France are second, with Spain, England and Brazil completing the Top 5.