The Super Eagles began the year in 28th place, buoyed by their impressive run to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final, where they narrowly lost to hosts Côte d’Ivoire.
However, their form took a hit throughout 2024. The team played 15 matches, securing nine wins, four draws, and five losses, with inconsistent performances proving costly.
Their World Cup qualifiers have been particularly troubling, leaving Nigeria fifth in their group and facing a daunting task to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
While their 2025 AFCON qualification campaign went smoothly, the failure to maintain momentum in global competitions has affected their ranking.
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A Historical Perspective
According to the latest FIFA rankings, the 44th-place finish mirrors Nigeria’s ranking in 2018, tying for their worst year-end position in recent memory.
In contrast, the Super Eagles ranked 42nd in 2023, 35th in 2022, 36th in 2021, and 31st in 2019.
Despite talent within the squad, this slump is a reminder of the team’s inconsistency over the past decade.
Global Rankings Overview
Globally, Argentina retained the top spot for the second consecutive year. France, Spain, England, and Brazil completed the top five.
In Africa, Morocco led the continent, ranking 13th globally, followed by Senegal (17th) and Algeria (33rd). Nigeria, once 4th in Africa earlier this year, has now dropped to 5th place.
Angola registered the biggest climb in rankings globally, leaping 32 places to 85th, while Vietnam made modest gains to reach 114th.
