Super Eagles Slip to 45th in Latest FIFA Ranking Amid World Cup Qualification Struggles

Super Eagles Slip to 45th in Latest FIFA Ranking Amid World Cup Qualification Struggles

By BSN Sports 

Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, have dropped one spot to 45th in the latest FIFA World Ranking, reflecting ongoing struggles in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The three-time African champions now face the serious prospect of missing out on a second World Cup appearance in eight years, following a disappointing run of results in Group C of the African qualifiers.

Earlier this month, Nigeria managed a narrow 1–0 win over Rwanda and secured a 1–1 draw away to South Africa. However, those results were not enough to improve their standing in the group or in the global rankings.

Currently third in their group with 11 points from eight matches, Nigeria trails group leaders South Africa by six points. With only the top team from each group earning automatic qualification to the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the Super Eagles’ path to the World Cup is now perilously narrow.

To keep their qualification hopes alive, Nigeria must win their final two group fixtures—away to Lesotho and at home against second-placed Benin Republic—scheduled for next month.

Even if they fail to top the group, there remains a slim path forward: the four best runners-up across all nine African qualification groups will advance to a continental playoff. The winner of that round will then compete in an intercontinental playoff for one final ticket to the World Cup.