Nigeria Move Closer to 2026 World Cup Qualification After Gaining Top FIFA Ranking Among Playoff Nations
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have received a major boost in their bid to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after emerging as the highest ranked nation among teams heading into the intercontinental playoffs.
According to the latest FIFA rankings, the three time African champions currently sit 45th in the world, the best position among all playoff contenders. This ranking gives Nigeria a crucial advantage as it means they will only need to win one match in the final intercontinental playoff round to secure a World Cup spot.
Before reaching that stage, the Super Eagles will participate in a mini playoff tournament scheduled to hold in Morocco from November 13 to 16, featuring Cameroon, DR Congo and Gabon. Nigeria must win both of their matches in this mini tournament to advance.
If successful, Nigeria will progress as a seeded team in the intercontinental playoffs, automatically qualifying for the final stage where they will face the lowest ranked winner from the semi final round.
Here’s how the current FIFA rankings stand for all potential playoff teams:
🇳🇬 Nigeria 45th
🇨🇷 Costa Rica 47th
🇨🇲 Cameroon 52nd
🇮🇶 Iraq 58th
🇨🇩 DR Congo 60th
🇦🇪 UAE 67th
🇯🇲 Jamaica 69th
🇧🇴 Bolivia 77th
🇬🇦 Gabon 79th
🇨🇼 Curaçao 86th
🇳🇨 New Caledonia 150th
With this advantage, Nigeria now stand as frontrunners to claim one of the last available tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to take place across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
All eyes will be on Uyo born striker Victor Osimhen and his teammates as they prepare to make history and return the Super Eagles to football’s biggest stage.
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