The Super Eagles of Nigeria have climbed to 26th in the latest FIFA men’s world rankings, their highest position in 16 years, following a strong run at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, The PUNCH reports.

Hosts Morocco also broke into the top 10 for the first time since 1998, reflecting the significant impact of the tournament on African football.

Eric Chelle’s boys were among the biggest movers in the January 2026 FIFA ranking, rising 12 places after securing the bronze medal in the continental competition.

Their previous highest ranking was in May 2010, when they were ranked 21st in the world.

Nigeria played seven matches during the ranking window, recording six wins and one loss.

Their campaign included a 4–0 victory over Mozambique in the round of 16, a 2–0 quarter-final win against Algeria and a dramatic semi-final defeat to hosts Morocco on penalties after a goalless draw.

The Eagles bounced back in the third-place match, holding Egypt to another scoreless draw before winning 4–2 on penalties to secure the bronze medal.

FIFA confirmed that Nigeria gained 79.09 ranking points, the highest points increase of any nation in the latest update, which underlines the impact of their AFCON performances.

Morocco, despite losing the final to Senegal in extra time, climbed three places to eighth, their highest-ever position and their first return to the top 10 since April 1998.

Senegal’s triumph saw them rise seven places to 12th, also a national best.

At the top of the ranking, Spain remain number one, followed by world champions Argentina and France.

Morocco’s rise into the top 10 came at the expense of Croatia, Belgium and Germany, who all dropped places.

Elsewhere in Africa, Cameroon and Nigeria recorded the joint biggest climb by ranking positions, each moving up 12 places, while Algeria rose to 28th, Egypt to 31st and Ivory Coast to 37th.

CAF now has nine teams inside the world’s top 50, two more than at the end of 2025.

The next edition of the FIFA men’s world ranking will be released on April 1, 2026.

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A former England striker Alan Shearer has criticised the decision to book Diogo Dalot during Sunday’s Manchester derby, insisting the challenge should have earned a red card.

Speaking to BBC Sport on Monday, Shearer said: “I think VAR got that terribly wrong. For me, that was a clear red card.”

He added, “Forget about whether the contact was ‘glancing’ or not. I can understand why the referee hasn’t given it—it might have been difficult for him to see—but when the VAR has two professionals looking at that, it should have been a very easy decision to give a red card.”

The incident saw referee Anthony Taylor issue a yellow card, a decision supported by video assistant referee Craig Pawson, who described the contact as “glancing and not with excessive force.”

Shearer argued that while Taylor may have struggled to see the full extent of the challenge in real time, the VAR officials had sufficient footage to make a clear-cut decision for a sending-off.

The ruling has reignited debate among pundits and fans, highlighting ongoing discussions about VAR consistency and the differing standards for serious foul play between the Premier League and European competitions.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has announced its intention to pursue legal action with the Confederation of African Football and FIFA over the Senegal national team’s walk-off during the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final.

In a statement posted on its official X handle on Monday, FRMF said the Senegalese team’s walkout followed a referee’s decision to award a penalty kick, which it noted was deemed correct by all experts.

“The Royal Moroccan Football Federation announces that it will pursue legal action with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA regarding the Senegalese national team’s withdrawal from the final match against Morocco and the subsequent events following the referee’s decision to award a penalty kick, a decision deemed correct by all experts,” the statement read.

The federation added that the incident “significantly impacted the normal flow of the match and the players’ performance.”

It also expressed gratitude to Moroccan fans, commending their “loyalty to the national team through their massive attendance and exemplary support in all of the national team’s matches and other tournaments.”

It further thanked everyone who contributed to the successful hosting of the continental championship.

The final, held at the Stade Mohammed V in Rabat on Sunday, descended into disarray in the dying moments of regular time.

With the score tied at 0-0, Senegal had a goal disallowed for offside, followed shortly by a VAR review that granted host Morocco a penalty in the eighth minute of added time.

Unsatisfied, Senegal’s head coach, Pape Thiaw, led his players off the pitch in protest, prompting wild scenes, and security had to intervene.

After a delay, the Senegalese team was persuaded to return. Morocco’s penalty was saved by goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, sending the game into extra time.

Midfielder Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal in the fourth minute of the first half of extra time to secure Senegal’s AFCON title.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has condemned the conduct, while CAF said it is reviewing footage and will refer the matter to disciplinary bodies for action against those involved.

If sanctioned, Senegal may be fined or suspended for the walk-off.