FIFA Rankings: Nigeria Ranked 6th in Africa, Listed Ahead of Ghana and South Africa

• Nigeria has been ranked 42nd in the world in the latest FIFA rankings
• The Super Eagles remain unchanged from their placing from November
• Ghana and South Africa also remain unchanged in the latest rankings

Nigeria have ended 2023 ahead of local rivals, Ghana and 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier opponents, South Africa in the latest FIFA rankings.

The Super Eagles have placed 42nd in the world in the rankings released on Thursday, December 21, unchanged from their rank in November.

According to FIFA.com, Nigeria - ranked as the sixth-best African team - are still ahead of the Black Stars and Bafana Bafana of South Africa going into next year’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Ghana, aiming for a fifth AFCON title, are currently ranked outside the top 50 as they ended in 61st position, while South Africa is ranked 66th in the world in the latest FIFA rankings.

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Morocco remains Africa’s highest-ranked team as they have been placed in 13th position by FIFA, closely followed by Senegal (20th), Tunisia (28th), Algeria (30th), and Egypt (33rd).

The dynamics of the current world rankings could shift depending on each of these nations' respective performances at the upcoming AFCON tournament, which kicks off in January.

Argentina remain top of rankings

Meanwhile, on the global stage, world champions Argentina maintained the top spot in the latest FIFA rankings ahead of 2022 World Cup finalists France and powerhouses like England and Belgiuml, Pulse Sports reports.

La Albiceleste kicked off their 2026 World Cup qualifiers with two impressive victories against Uruguay and Brazil to continue an unbeaten run which has lasted since their surprise loss to Saudi Arabia at the 2022 edition.

The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Croatia are all included in the top 10 men's teams in the world. The next update to the FIFA global rankings will be published on February 15, 2024, after AFCON has concluded.

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Peseiro submits Super Eagles AFCON squad

Sports Brief previously reported Nigeria's head coach, Jose Peseiro has submitted his 40-man Nigeria provisional squad to CAF ahead of next year's AFCON tournament.

Gent forward, Gift Orban is one of the biggest omissions. Veteran defender, Leon Balogun and 2021 AFCON first-choice goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye have also fallen out.

Kelechi Nwakali and Sporting Lagos goalkeeper, Christian Nwoke are the surprise inclusions, with the former Golden Eaglets captain returning after the last AFCON tourney.