Super Falcons Remain Africa’s Number One Ahead Of 2026 WAFCON

The Super Falcons of Nigeria will head into the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) as the highest-ranked women’s team in Africa after retaining 36th place in the latest FIFA Women’s World Ranking released on Thursday.

The ranking is the final FIFA update before the continental tournament in Morocco from July 25 to August 16, where the Super Falcons will be chasing a record-extending 11th WAFCON title. Despite securing consecutive victories over Senegal during the recent international window, Nigeria were unable to climb the global standings.

Naija News reports that the Super Falcons defeated Senegal 2-1 on June 5 before producing a dominant 3-0 win three days later in Ikenne. However, the results were not enough to lift them above Serbia, Ukraine and the Czech Republic, who remain directly ahead of the African champions.

Nigeria continue to sit comfortably ahead of several nations including Vietnam, Slovenia, the Philippines, Chinese Taipei and Jamaica. More importantly, they remain Africa’s top-ranked side ahead of next month’s continental showdown.

South Africa remain the Falcons’ nearest rivals on the continent. Banyana Banyana moved up one place to 57th in the world after bouncing back from a 5-0 defeat to Japan with a 1-0 victory over the Asian side during the same international window.

Ghana slipped one place to 60th, while tournament hosts Morocco dropped to 64th. Zambia, who will face Nigeria in the group stage, also fell one spot to 65th despite a 3-0 win over Zimbabwe in their latest outing.

The Super Falcons have been drawn in Group C alongside Zambia, Egypt and Malawi. Egypt are ranked 99th in the world, while Malawi sit 158th.

Beyond the race for the African title, the tournament carries added significance as a pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The four semi-finalists will secure automatic qualification, while another African nation will have a chance to reach the tournament through the intercontinental play-offs.

At the summit of the global rankings, Spain remain the world’s number one team, ahead of the United States, Germany, England and Japan. France climbed to sixth place, while Brazil, Sweden, Canada and the Netherlands complete the top 10.