FIFA rankings: Super Falcons drop to 37th, remain top in Africa

Nigeria’s Super Falcons dropped one spot in the latest women’s ranking released by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association on Thursday.

Previously ranked 36th, the Super Falcons slipped to 37th but remained the top team on the continent.

The ranking follows a strong 2025 performance in which the team won the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, held in Morocco from July 5 to 26, securing a record-extending 10th continental title.

They staged a remarkable comeback in the final, overturning a two-goal deficit to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2, with key contributions from players including Esther Okoronkwo and Rasheedat Ajibade.

Their dominant run included a 5-0 quarterfinal win over Zambia, a hard-fought 2-1 semifinal victory against South Africa, and a group-stage campaign featuring wins over Botswana and Cape Verde, as well as a 0-0 draw with Algeria.

Following the WAFCON triumph, the Super Falcons returned to action in October 2025 for the 2026 WAFCON qualifiers, comfortably advancing past the Republic of Benin with a 3-1 aggregate victory (2-0 away in Lomé, Togo, and 1-1 at home in Abeokuta).

Justine Madugu’s girls, however, were inactive during the last FIFA women’s international break, which contributed to their current position in the monthly ranking.

South Africa, Ghana, Zambia and Morocco complete the top five highest-ranked countries in Africa.

Globally, Spain retained the No. 1 position, with the United States, Germany, England and Sweden completing the top five.

(NAN)