Nigeria’s Super Falcons Maintain Continental Dominance in Latest FIFA Rankings
Nigeria’s Super Falcons, the reigning champions of African women’s football, have held steady at 36th in the latest FIFA Women’s World Rankings released on Thursday. Their commanding performance at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, where they secured a record-extending 10th title, solidified their position as the continent’s leading force. While other nations experienced significant shifts in the rankings, the Super Falcons’ consistent excellence ensured their continued dominance in Africa.
The Super Falcons embarked on their journey in the July international window with a goalless friendly draw against Portugal. However, their true prowess emerged at the WAFCON tournament. They cruised through the group stage, defeating Tunisia and Botswana, before a calculated draw against Algeria in their final group match, where key players were rested having already secured top spot. Their knockout stage campaign began with a resounding 5-0 victory over Zambia in the quarter-finals, avenging their previous WAFCON third-place playoff loss. A hard-fought 2-1 win against defending champions South Africa in the semi-finals set the stage for a dramatic final against hosts Morocco. The Super Falcons showcased their resilience, coming back from a two-goal deficit to clinch a thrilling 3-2 victory, etching their names further into WAFCON history.
The Super Falcons’ unbeaten run at WAFCON, consisting of five wins and one draw, was reflected in their ranking points, increasing to 1630.83, a gain of 7.54 points. Nigeria’s continued dominance in Africa is underscored by their substantial lead over other African nations in the rankings. South Africa, the defending champions prior to the tournament, experienced a setback, dropping 22.92 points and landing in 54th place globally, still retaining their second-place position in Africa. Morocco, despite reaching the final and playing a total of eight matches during the window, also dropped slightly, shedding 12.42 points and falling to 64th place.
Other African teams experienced varying fortunes. Zambia gained 6.93 points, remaining 65th in the world, while Ghana, despite a third-place finish at WAFCON, dropped marginally to 67th. Cameroon and Ivory Coast fell in the rankings due to inactivity during the international window. Algeria and Senegal made notable gains, climbing the rankings after strong performances. Botswana experienced the most dramatic rise among African teams, jumping seven places to 146th in the world after gaining 32.15 points, despite three losses in the tournament.
The global landscape of women’s football also saw significant changes. Spain reclaimed the top spot from the United States after a dominant run to the final of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025. France climbed to sixth, while Brazil slipped to seventh despite winning the South American title. Bangladesh made the largest leap in both position and points, rising 24 places after a successful World Cup qualifying campaign. The Solomon Islands also achieved their highest-ever ranking.
The latest FIFA Women’s World Ranking reflects the dynamic nature of international women’s football, with teams across all confederations jostling for position. The rankings period saw a total of 196 international matches played, influencing the shifts observed globally. The next FIFA Women’s World Ranking update is scheduled for December 11, 2025, promising further insights into the evolving landscape of women’s football. This update will capture the performances of teams in subsequent international matches and tournaments, offering another snapshot of the global hierarchy in women’s football. The Super Falcons, undoubtedly, will strive to enhance their standing with consistent performances in future competitions.
The Super Falcons’ success underscores the growing strength of women’s football in Africa. While Nigeria maintains its position as the continental powerhouse, other nations are making strides, as evidenced by the performances of South Africa, Morocco, Zambia, and Ghana in the latest rankings period. The increased competitiveness within the African region bodes well for the continued development and growth of the sport, potentially leading to greater representation and success on the global stage. The upcoming rankings update in December will reveal how these African teams maintain their momentum and whether any new challengers emerge.
