Super Falcons fall seven places to 43rd for FIFA rankings but still remain Africa best

Nigeria Super Falcons don fall seven places for di latest FIFA Women's World Rankings, dropping from 36th to 43rd for di world. Dem release di rankings on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

Di 10-time African champions still hold dia place as Africa top-ranked women team. South Africa, Morocco, Ghana and Zambia dey follow for di continent.

Naija News report say Nigeria lose 83.54 points for di latest ranking period. Di outlets agree on di size of di drop and Nigeria continental standing.

Wetin pull di ranking down

Di slide follow a difficult run of results. For di 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) for Morocco, di Falcons comot for quarter-finals after defeats to Malawi and Cameroon.

Malawi, a debutant for di tournament, beat Nigeria for di opening group game. Dem go on reach di final and climb 49 places for di rankings, di biggest improvement for dis edition.

Nigeria also lose 2-1 to South Africa for di play-offs for di 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup, ending dia hopes of qualifying.

There was some cheer: di team beat Comoros twice for di qualifiers for di 2028 Olympic Games. Di second leg end 5-0 for Ikenne on October 13, sealing a 7-0 aggregate win.

Globally, di top five no change. Spain remain first, ahead of di United States, Germany, England and Japan.

Wetin happen next

Di Falcons now turn to a two-legged Olympic qualifying tie against Morocco, wey dem schedule between February 23 and March 6, 2027. A place for di next qualifying round dey at stake as Nigeria chase one of Africa two tickets to Los Angeles 2028.

Interim head coach Austin Eguavoen don ask for patience. "Going forward, we expect to meet tougher opposition, no doubt about that," he talk, adding say di team get "the quality" and "the personnel" to compete.

He talk say di coaching staff go consider players wey miss di recent qualifiers while keeping di squad stable.

Dem go release di next FIFA Women's World Rankings on Monday, December 7, 2026.