THE Super Eagles of Nigeria defied their failed World Cup bid to climb up in the latest FIFA ranking released last night.
The three-time African champions lost to the Democratic Republic of Congo on penalties on Sunday in the final of the CAF World Cup play-offs in Rabat, Morocco, meaning they will miss the global tournament back-to-back for the first time since their debut in 1994.
Despite the loss to DR Congo, after extra-time ended 1-1, the Super Eagles rose three spots to 38th in the world.
The Super Eagles also maintain their fifth spot in Africa, behind Morocco, Senegal, Egypt and Algeria, all of whom qualified for the 2026 World Cup scheduled for the United States of America, Mexico and Canada.
Globally, Spain retain their spot at the top of the pile, followed by current world champions Argentina and the team they dethroned in 2022, France.
The latest ranking will figure in today’s draws for the remaining qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup.
The draws, which will be held today in Zurich, Switzerland, will determine the pathways that the 22 competing nations (six via the Play-Off Tournament and 16 through the European Play-Offs) will need to navigate if they are to secure one of the six remaining places at the first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup.
A total of 149 national-team outings, including 74 friendlies, have been contested around the world since the FIFA world ranking was last updated, producing various changes in the pecking order.