Nigeria’s failure to participate in the FIFA World Cup has sent the three-time African champions crashing down the global ranking
The Super Eagles have suffered a sharp drop in rating in the December FIFA ranking updated just hours after the conclusion of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Previously ranked 32nd in the world, Nigeria fall three spots down to 35th after missing out on the party at the 22nd edition of the Mundial.
The Super Eagles were not helped by their poor results in friendly matches on the eve of the World Cup. Nigeria lost 2-0 to Costa Rica in San Jose a few days before succumbing to an embarrassing 4-0 loss to Portugal in Lisbon – the Eagles’ biggest defeat in the last three decades.
However, Nigeria remain in the top five ranking of teams in Africa behind Morocco (11th), Senegal (19th), Tunisia (29th), and Cameroon (33rd).
Following their historic feat at the World Cup, Morocco overtake Afcon champions Senegal as the number one African team in the world.
The Atlas Lions climbed to 11th after becoming the first African side to reach the semifinals of the World Cup.
Senegal reached the Round of 16 in Qatar, while Tunisia and Cameroon impressed despite not making it out of their respective groups.
Brazil are still the number one ranked team in the world, despite getting knocked out of Qatar 2026 in the quarter-finals. World champions Argentina move to second behind the Brazilians.
GOOD EFFORT