Nigeria's Super Falcons Rise to 36th in FIFA Rankings

Nigeria's Super Falcons just earned serious bragging rights, rising one spot to 36th in the FIFA women's world rankings while keeping their crown as Africa's best team.

The climb is especially impressive considering the Falcons didn't play during April's international break. Their improved ranking reflects two February and March friendly matches against Cameroon, where they bounced back from a 1-0 loss with a commanding 3-1 victory.

That win boosted their FIFA points to 1,602, moving them up 3.35 points from the previous ranking. While they're still five points shy of their December 2025 total of 1,607, the upward trend shows the team's building momentum.

The Falcons continue to dominate African women's soccer by a significant margin. South Africa trails far behind at 58th globally, followed by Ghana at 59th and Morocco at 62nd. Nigeria's 22-spot lead over the next African team highlights just how dominant they've become on the continent.

Globally, Spain holds the top spot, with the USA in second place. England recently edged past Germany to claim third, while Japan made an impressive leap to fifth place, surpassing soccer powerhouses Sweden, France, and Brazil.

The Ripple Effect

Nigeria's continued success in women's soccer extends far beyond the pitch. The Super Falcons have become role models for millions of young Nigerian girls who now see professional sports as a viable career path. Their achievements challenge stereotypes and open doors in a region where women's sports have historically faced funding and recognition challenges.

The team's sustained excellence also attracts more investment and attention to women's soccer across Africa. When the continent's top team performs well on the world stage, it raises the profile of women's soccer throughout neighboring countries, creating opportunities for better training facilities, sponsorships, and youth development programs.

The next FIFA women's ranking update drops on June 16, giving the Super Falcons another chance to climb even higher as they continue their quest to break into the global top 30.