Super Falcons climb to 36 in latest FIFA rankings
Nigeria’s Super Falcons continue to stamp their authority on African women’s football, climbing to 36th in the latest FIFA Women’s World Rankings while retaining their status as the continent’s top-ranked side.
The rankings, released on Tuesday, 21 April 2026, see the 10-time African champions rise one place from 37th, a modest but meaningful move that reinforces their long-standing dominance in Africa.
Since the previous update in December, international fixtures have largely revolved around preparations for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, with qualification routes still tied to the yet-to-be-played Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Within that window, the Falcons engaged Cameroon in a friendly double-header that offered both a test and a response. After falling 1–0 in the first encounter, Nigeria bounced back with a confident 3–1 victory in the return leg doing just enough to edge upward in the rankings.
Across the continent, the chasing pack continues to shuffle but not quite close the gap. South Africa slipped three places to 58th, still holding on as Nigeria’s nearest rivals, while Ghana (59th), Morocco (62nd), and Zambia (64th) all remain within striking distance. Cameroon sit 70th, with Côte d’Ivoire and Algeria just behind at 72nd and 73rd respectively. Senegal’s rise to 80th and Mali’s steady hold at 85th further highlight the growing depth and competitiveness of women’s football in Africa.
On the global stage, Spain maintain their position at the summit, with the United States firmly in second. England edge up to third, leapfrogging Germany, while Japan emerge as one of the standout movers climbing to fifth after an impressive, unbeaten run to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup title. Brazil occupy sixth, followed by France in seventh, as Sweden drop to eighth amid an inconsistent qualifying start. Canada rise to ninth, and the Netherlands complete the top 10, pushing Korea DPR out to 11th.
Elsewhere, the rankings witnessed significant shifts. American Samoa recorded the biggest jump, climbing 17 places, while Suriname endured the sharpest fall, dropping 14 spots. Kosovo posted the highest points gain, the Solomon Islands suffered the heaviest loss, and Türkiye reached a historic milestone, climbing to their highest-ever position of 51st.
Meanwhile, the British Virgin Islands exit the rankings after four years of inactivity, bringing the total number of ranked teams to 197. Attention now turns to the next update, scheduled for 16 June 2026, where the Super Falcons will aim to keep rising and keep Africa firmly under their control.
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