Nigeria drops one place in new FIFA ranking
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have dropped by one spot in the January ranking of the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) to now occupy the 36th position in the world.
In the ranking table released by the world football governing body on Thursday, the Nigerian team retained the 1474 points they had in the month of December.
The ranking which is the first in 2021 saw Nigeria retaining its fifth spot on the continent behind Senegal, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco respectively.
On the global scene, a total of 43 full internationals (including one played in December 2020) were taken into account.
The standout tournament in recent weeks has been the African Nations Championship (CHAN), where a total of 32 games took place and with Nigeria not participating.
These fixtures, as well as the other 11 games played, have been classified as friendlies, because only players competing in their countries’ national championships are eligible to participate in CHAN.
In the standings, CHAN winners Morocco (33rd, +2), and runners-up Mali (54th, +3) have made the most progress.
Third-placed Guinea (72nd, +1) and quarter-finalists Congo (90th, +1) have also advanced.
Other teams moving in the right direction include Costa Rica (50th,+1), currently back in the Top 50 after an absence of several months, Cape Verde (80th, +1) and Oman (81st, +1).
There are also Benin (82nd, +1), Azerbaijan (108th, +1), Estonia (108th, +1), Thailand (110th, +1), Guinea-Bissau (119th, +1), Tajikistan (120th, +1) and Guatemala (130th, +1).
Those teams aside, no other country has enhanced its position since December, and the Top 32 places in the standings remain unchanged since the end of 2020.
Belgium, France, Brazil, England and Portugal continue to occupy the top spots, with the leading trio of Belgium, France and Brazil only separated by 37 points.
The fight for top spot promises to be an exciting one this year, with a string of major tournaments scheduled (Copa America, UEFA EURO and CONCACAF Gold Cup).
There is also the resumption of qualifying competitions for the 2022 FIFA World Cup scheduled for Qatar.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Cash Transfer: FG disburses stipends to 1,381 Edo residents
Ms Idaomi said eligible households received N75,000, while eligible individuals received N25,000 each.
States
Youths shun Edo LG polls to play football in Benin
The youth mounted goalposts and played football in sets.
States
Police arrest five suspected cultists, recover weapons in Lagos
The police said the suspects were allegedly involved in terrorising residents of the Apapa, Ijora and Badia areas of the state.
States
Obi charges Tinubu, govs to strengthen security, says no child should suffer kidnapping
Mr Obi called for sustained efforts to build a country where children could pursue their education free from threats of violence and abduction.
States
Police arrest 33-year-old for staging self-kidnap in Ondo
Detectives arrested Mr Sikiru on July 7, 2026, and discovered that he had allegedly orchestrated his own kidnapping.
World
South Africa’s Jayden Adams dies shortly after returning from World Cup
Adams played three matches at the World Cup in North America as South Africa reached the knockout round.
