FIFA rankings: Nigeria ranks third in Africa, 32nd in world

 Nigeria has moved up four places and now ranks 32nd in the latest FIFA rankings, despite an early exit from the 2022 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

In Africa, Nigeria ranks third behind Morocco (second), and AFCON 2022 winners, Senegal, which ranks first. Others behind Nigeria are Egypt, Tunisia, Cameroon, Algeria, Mali and Ivory Coast.

Senegal currently sits at the 18th position in the world ranking after emerging champions of the 2021 AFCON.

Previous AFCON champions, Algeria, who were number one in Africa, now slipped to 43 in world ranking, while Mali occupied the 48th position, and Ivory Coast in 51st spot.

On its website, FIFA said the new ranking method named “SUM” relied on adding/subtracting points won or lost for a game to/from the previous point totals, rather than averaging game points over a given time period, as in the previous version of the World Ranking.

“The points which are added or subtracted are partially determined by the relative strength of the two opponents, including the logical expectation that teams higher in the ranking should fare better against teams lower in the ranking,” the world football governing body said.