The Super Eagles of Nigeria have moved up one spot to 39th in the latest FIFA rankings, but they are still the sixth-best team in Africa, aclsports.com reports.
The Super Eagles were ranked 40th in the World when the last rankings were released in April and moved up just a place to 39th in the world following this month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifier against Sierra Leone in Liberia.
Jose Peseiro’s side laboured to a 3-2 win over the Leone Stars to book their spot in next year’s AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire. Despite the win, they remain sixth on the continent and will need to maintain the position if they want to be seeded at the AFCON draws later in the year.
Meanwhile, world champions, Argentina (1st) are settling into their new role as world leaders. Nearly three months on from regaining the top spot in the FIFA World Ranking, La Albiceleste remains out front thanks to friendly wins over Australia and Indonesia. The top three is also unchanged, with the reigning world champions staying ahead of France (2nd) and Brazil (3rd).
However, there has been movement behind the top three. England (4th, plus 1) and Belgium (5th, minus 1) swap places, as do Croatia (6th, plus 1) and Netherlands (7th, minus 1).
Newly crowned CONCACAF Nations League champions USA (11th, plus 2) close in on the Top 10, whereas Spain (10th) managed to remain thanks to their UEFA Nations League triumph. Essentially, no changes in the top 10 as the countries just swapped places after the latest International matches.
In Africa, Nigeria stayed outside the top five with Morocco, defending champions Senegal, Tunisia, Algeria, and Egypt all maintaining their spots.
In terms of the highest movers, that goes to Kazakhstan (104th, plus 8). Other notable climbers are Togo (122nd, plus 7), Tanzania (123rd, plus 7), and Moldova (164th, plus 7). Meanwhile, Wales fell 9 places to 35th in the world, the biggest drop by any country.
The next FIFA World Ranking will be published on 20 July.
Top ten in Africa
1. Morocco (13)
2. Senegal (18)
3. Tunisia (31)
4. Algeria (33)
5. Egypt (34)
6. Nigeria (39)
7. Cameroon (43)
8. Mali (50)
9. Côte d’Ivoire (51)
10. Burkina Faso (55)
