Super Falcons remain Africa's number one ahead of WAFCON 2026
Nigeria’s Super Falcons will head to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco as Africa’s highest-ranked women’s national team after maintaining 36th place in the latest FIFA Women’s World Ranking released on Thursday.
The ranking update, the last before the continental tournament kicks off from July 25 to August 16, sees the nine-time African champions retain their position at the summit of African women’s football as they chase a record-extending 11th WAFCON crown.
Despite securing back-to-back victories over Senegal during the recent international window, the Falcons were unable to climb higher in the global standings. Justin Madugu’s side defeated the Lionesses of Teranga 2-1 on June 5 before producing a commanding 3-0 win three days later in Ikenne.
However, the positive results were not enough to lift Nigeria above Serbia, Ukraine and the Czech Republic, who remain just ahead of them in the rankings.
The Falcons continue to hold a comfortable advantage over several emerging football nations, including Vietnam, Slovenia, the Philippines, Chinese Taipei and Jamaica, while preserving their status as the continent’s highest-ranked side.
South Africa remain Nigeria’s closest rivals in Africa. Banyana Banyana moved up one place to 57th in the world after bouncing back from a heavy 5-0 loss to Japan with a morale-boosting 1-0 victory over the Asian powerhouse.
Elsewhere, Ghana slipped to 60th, while tournament hosts Morocco dropped to 64th. Zambia, who will face Nigeria in the WAFCON group stage, also fell one place to 65th despite recording a 3-0 win over Zimbabwe in their latest outing.
Nigeria have been drawn in Group C alongside Zambia, Egypt and Malawi. Egypt are ranked 99th globally, while Malawi sit 158th, making the Super Falcons overwhelming favourites to progress from the group.
Beyond continental glory, the tournament carries added significance as it doubles as a pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Africa’s four semi-finalists will secure automatic qualification, while a fifth team will have another opportunity through the intercontinental play-offs.
On the global stage, Spain remain the world’s top-ranked team, ahead of the United States, Germany, England and Japan. France climbed to sixth place, with Brazil, Sweden, Canada and the Netherlands rounding out the top ten.
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