Nigeria’s Super Falcons rose to 36th position in the latest FIFA Women’s World Ranking. The team maintained its status as the top-ranked side in Africa.
FIFA released the updated ranking on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. The Super Falcons moved up from 37th place, which they occupied in the December 2025 ranking. Consequently, Nigeria consolidated its position as the continent’s leading women’s national team.
The latest ranking reflected two pre-WAFCON friendly matches against Cameroon. Nigeria suffered a 1–0 defeat in the first encounter in February. However, the team responded emphatically three days later with a 3–1 victory in March 2026.
Forward Chinwendu Ihezuo equalised for Nigeria in the 32nd minute. She headed home a precise cross from Rinsola Babajide. Just before half-time, Babajide scored from close range after a scramble inside the box.
The goal gave the Falcons a 2–1 lead. In the 64th minute, Michelle Alozie sealed the victory with a flying header from a cross delivered by captain Rasheedat Ajibade.
The win added 3.35 points to Nigeria’s total. The team accumulated 1,602 points in April. Nevertheless, this remained five points short of the 1,607 points recorded in December 2025.
South Africa followed Nigeria as the second-ranked team in Africa. South Africa dropped to 58th place globally. Ghana climbed to 59th worldwide, while Morocco rose to 62nd.
On the global stage, Spain held the top position. The United States remained second. England moved up to third, followed by Germany in fourth and Japan in fifth.
