Nigeria’s Super Falcons are currently ranked 36th globally and first in Africa, according to the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World rankings released on Friday.

Nearly three months have passed since the rankings were last published, and at least 154 international football matches have been played during that timeframe.

According to FIFA, the qualifying fixtures for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, Paris 2024, held in Africa, and the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 qualifiers in Europe impacted the rankings.

“These intense encounters, in addition to a large number of friendly fixtures, resulted in several changes to the standings, including an adjustment to the top three,” the statement said.

Spain is at the top, reigning supreme for another edition, but the pressure is mounting. France surges into second place, overtaking a slipping England, now sitting in third.

Big movers also include Montenegro (up 4 to 85th) and El Salvador (up seventh to 90th), which are making impressive strides within the top 100.

Belarus (up 2 to 55th) claims the biggest points gain (a whopping 31.91), while North Macedonia (up a staggering 12 to 123rd) celebrates the most significant ranking jump after dominant wins.

Other than the Macedonians, five other national teams hit their highest-ever points: Spain, Zambia, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, and Congo DR.

Zambia (64th, up 1) has two reasons to celebrate, as they have also attained their best-ever placing in a table that is likely to change further in the next few months.

Meanwhile, other African representatives, South Africa and Morocco, are ranked 51 and 59 worldwide, placing second and third in Africa, respectively.

The next FIFA rankings will be published on August 16.

(NAN)