The Super Falcons have climbed up one spot in the world, according to the FIFA women’s ranking released today.
The Nigerian side have lost their last five matches, including a 2-0 reverse to Japan in Kobe last Thursday, but they rose from 46th to 45th in the latest ranking, gaining 2.56 points.
Despite their dire form, Randy Waldrum’s Falcons are still the top team in Africa, followed by 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations winners South Africa (54th in the world), Cameroon (58th in the world), Ghana (59th in the world) and Cote d’Ivoire (64th in the world).
Globally, United States of America remain the No.1 ranked team, with Sweden, Germany, England and France making up the top five.
Japan retained their 11th spot in the world ranking and are second in Asia.
FIFA said this latest ranking will determine the seedings for the final draw for the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The draw will be held in Auckland, New Zealand on October 22, where the 32 qualified teams, including the Super Falcons, will be placed in eight groups of four each.
Before the main draw, the draw for the playoff tournament will be held tomorrow.
Ten teams have qualified for the play-off tournament: Portugal (23rd in the world), Chile (38th), Chinese Taipei (40th), Thailand (41st), Papua New Guinea (50th), Paraguay (51st), Haiti (56th), Panama (57th), Cameroon (58th), Senegal (84th).
