Nigeria’s Super Eagles once again dropped in the latest FIFA world ranking that was released on Thursday, June 20, 2024.
The ranking which was published on FIFA’s website saw the Eagles drop from 30th to 38th spot.
In Africa, the Eagles are now fifth behind Morocco (1st), Senegal (2nd), Egypt (3rd) and AFCON champions Cote d’Ivoire (4th).
The Eagles’ poor performances on matchday 3 and 4, in Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic could be attributed to the drop in the ranking.
They recorded their third straight draw in the World Cup qualifiers after a 1-1 scoreline with South Africa inside the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.
Just few days later they suffered their first defeat in the qualifiers, going down 2-1 to Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
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While South Africa maintained 59th spot in the ranking, Benin Republic climbed to 91.
With four games played in the qualifiers, the three-time AFCON champions are in fifth place on three points.
They resume the World Cup qualifying campaign in March 2025 with an away fixture against Rwanda and a home tie with Zimbabwe.
Both Rwanda and Zimbabwe are in 131st and 129th positions respectively in the ranking.
Meanwhile, the top three, however, remain the same. Argentina (1st) retain their place at the summit, with France (2nd) and Belgium (3rd) hot on their heels.
But there is movement behind them, as Brazil (4th, up 1) and England (5th, down 1) swap places.
Meanwhile, Portugal (6th), the Netherlands (7th) and Spain (8th) consolidate their spots in the top ten, whilst Croatia (9th, up 1) overtake Italy (10th, down 1), who nonetheless hold onto a place among the leading pack.
The next FIFA world ranking will be published on 18 July, 2024.
Prior to the 1994 World Cup in the United States, the Eagles were ranked fifth, the highest position ever attained by an African country till date.
They went on to do well at their maiden appearance in 1994, reaching the round of 16 before losing 2-1 to eventually finalist Italy.
Under Dutch coach, Clemens Westerhof, the Eagles topped a group that had Argentina, Bulgaria and Greece.
