The world football governing body, FIFA has unveiled the final world rankings for national teams in 2024, showcasing where each country stands at the close of the year.
Among African nations, Nigeria’s Super Eagles have claimed the fifth position, although they have experienced a considerable decline in their global ranking.
According to the rankings published by FIFA on Thursday, December 19, Nigeria remain in their previous position as the fifth-best team in Africa.
However, the Super Eagles have faced a tumultuous year, culminating in an eight-place drop to 44th globally by the end of 2024.
This fall in the rankings can be attributed to lackluster performances during the crucial final 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. In matches against regional rivals Benin Republic and Rwanda, Nigeria struggled significantly, resulting in a series of disappointing outcomes and no victories.
In contrast to Nigeria’s struggles, South Africa’s Bafana Bafana have had a remarkable resurgence, climbing three spots to finish the year ranked 57th in the world. This improvement reflects their recent form and victories during the qualifiers, highlighting a successful turnaround for the team.
Nigeria’s West African counterparts, Ghana, faced their own set of challenges this year, concluding the year in a disappointing 77th place globally. This ranking illustrates the difficulties both Ghana and Nigeria have encountered in maintaining their status among Africa’s elite football teams.
Top 10 African Teams in FIFA Rankings:
1. Morocco – 14th
2. Senegal – 17th
3. Egypt – 33rd
4. Algeria – 37th
5. Nigeria – 44th
6. Côte d’Ivoire – 46th
7. Cameroon – 49th
8. Mali – 51st
9. Tunisia – 52nd
10. South Africa – 57th
On the world stage, the top ten international teams remained stable from the previous month, with Argentina securing the number one position. France holds strong at second, while Spain maintains third place in the rankings.
England and Brazil round out the top five, showcasing the prominence of these nations in global football.
2024 FIFA World Ranking (Top 10):
1. Argentina – 1867.25 points
2. France – 1859.78 points
3. Spain – 1853.27 points
4. England – 1813.81 points
5. Brazil – 1775.85 points
6. Portugal – 1756.12 points
7. Netherlands – 1747.55 points
8. Belgium – 1740.62 points
9. Italy – 1731.51 points
10. Germany – 1703.79 points