The 2026 FIFA Women's Ranking Update

In the rapidly evolving world of international women's football, the Super Falcons of Nigeria continue to prove why they are the undisputed queens of the continent. As of the latest official FIFA update on April 21, 2026, Nigeria has once again tightened its grip on the top spot in Africa, climbing globally after a series of resilient performances. With the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on the horizon and the road to the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil becoming clearer, these rankings serve as a vital barometer for the power shift currently taking place in the women's game.

Whether you're tracking Nigeria's ascent or looking at the global top ten, here is the comprehensive guide to the FIFA Women's Rankings as of April 2026.

Nigeria's Current Standing: Africa's No. 1

The Super Falcons have seen a positive shift in the most recent ranking window.

World Ranking: 36th (Up 1 place from 37th in December 2025).
Continental Ranking: 1st in Africa.
Recent Form: Nigeria’s rise was bolstered by a friendly double-header against Cameroon in March 2026. After a narrow 1-0 loss in the first leg, the Falcons bounced back with a dominant 3-1 victory, securing critical ranking points.
The Gap: Nigeria remains the only African nation in the global top 40, sitting more than 20 places ahead of their nearest rivals.

The Global Leaderboard: Who is Number 1?

At the summit of women's football, the hierarchy has seen some notable movement among the giants.

World No. 1: Spain remains the top-ranked team in the world, holding the position they claimed after their 2023 World Cup triumph.
The Top 5 (April 2026):
1. Spain (Unchanged)
2. USA (Unchanged)
3. England (Up 1 — following a victory over Spain)
4. Germany (Down 1)
5. Japan (Up 3 — following their AFC Women's Asian Cup title)

Continental Comparisons

While Nigeria dominates Africa, other regions are seeing significant shifts:

Africa's Top 5: 1. Nigeria (36th), 2. South Africa (59th), 3. Ghana, 4. Morocco, 5. Zambia.
Asian Powerhouse: Japan has reclaimed its status as the best in Asia (5th globally) after winning the Asian Cup, leapfrogging North Korea and Australia.
South Africa: Currently ranked 59th globally, "Banyana Banyana" remains Nigeria's most consistent threat on the continent but saw a slight dip in points this window.
Bangladesh: Continuing their steady rise in South Asia, Bangladesh has climbed significantly over the last year, currently sitting around the 130-135 range globally.

FIFA Ranking 2026: Fast Facts & Tools

Live Updates: FIFA now utilizes a real-time update mechanism (similar to the men's Elo-based system), meaning rankings fluctuate during international match days.
Next Official Update: June 16, 2026.
Ranking Calculator: Fans can use the FIFA website's "Live Ranking" tool to calculate potential points based on upcoming WAFCON qualifiers.
Men's Ranking Note: For those comparing, France reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the Men's FIFA Rankings on April 1, 2026.

Top 10 Women’s Football Clubs (2026)

While FIFA ranks national teams, the UEFA and IFFHS rankings for clubs show a different kind of dominance. As of April 2026, the elite club landscape is as follows: