Nigeria’s footballing stock has never been higher as the Super Eagles continue their ascent on the global stage. Following a stellar performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, where they secured a third-place finish, Nigeria has cemented its place as a top-tier powerhouse. This resurgence is reflected in the latest FIFA world rankings, positioning the nation among the elite of international football.
This article provides a comprehensive look at the current FIFA rankings for Nigeria, the African continent, and the global leaders as of January 2026.
What is the ranking of Nigeria in FIFA?
As of the latest update on January 19, 2026, Nigeria’s national team, the Super Eagles, is ranked 26th in the world.
The "AFCON Leap": Following their bronze-medal win at the 2025 AFCON, Nigeria surged 12 places from their previous position (38th).Point Gains: Nigeria earned the highest point gain of any nation in this ranking cycle (+79.09 points).
Continental Standings: They are currently the 3rd-best team in Africa.
What are the top-ranked African countries in FIFA?
The 2025 AFCON caused a significant shift in the African hierarchy. Morocco and Senegal continue to lead the pack, having both reached the tournament's final.
| African Rank | Country | Global Rank | Change |
| 1st | Morocco | 8th | +3 |
| 2nd | Senegal | 12th | +7 |
| 3rd | Nigeria | 26th | +12 |
| 4th | Algeria | 28th | +6 |
| 5th | Egypt | 31st | +4 |
Who is No. 1 in the FIFA world ranking?
The top of the global leaderboard remains a tight race between Europe and South America. As of late January 2026:
Rank 2: Argentina (FIFA World Cup Champions)
Rank 3: France
What are the Egypt and Jordan FIFA rankings?
Jordan: Currently ranked 64th globally. Jordan has maintained a steady position as a top-10 team in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Who is the top-ranked FIFA goalkeeper in 2025/2026?
The individual accolades for goalkeepers are dominated by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
FC 26 Rankings: In the latest gaming installment, Alisson Becker (Liverpool) and Donnarumma are often tied for the highest base rating (89 OVR).
How is the FIFA ranking calculated?
FIFA uses the "SUM" algorithm, which adds or subtracts points from a team's previous total based on the result of each match.
The Formula: $P = P_{before} + I \times (W - W_e)$
I: Importance of the match (e.g., 60 for World Cup/Continental finals).
W: Result of the match (1 for win, 0.5 for draw, 0 for loss).
W_e: Expected result based on the rating difference between teams.
