The latest FIFA Women’s World Rankings have once again stirred excitement across African football circles — especially as the continent’s traditional powerhouse, Nigeria’s Super Falcons, maintain their elite status amidst rising competition from regional rivals.
According to the most recent rankings released in December 2025, Nigeria’s Super Falcons have slipped one spot to 37th in the world — but crucially remain the top-ranked team in Africa.
🏆 Nigeria: Africa’s #1, Still a Global Contender
Nigeria’s Super Falcons-long regarded as the queens of African women’s football — continue to top the continental rankings. Despite dropping one spot from their previous position at 36th, the Super Falcons still stand as Africa’s highest ranked team on the global stage.
This resilience highlights Nigeria’s consistent performance even in quieter international windows, where limited fixtures sometimes temper ranking movement.
⚔️ Rivals on the Rise: South Africa, Morocco & Ghana
While Nigeria remains No. 1 in Africa, several rivals are pushing hard:
🇿🇦 South Africa — Banyana Banyana
South Africa sits just behind Nigeria in the continental pecking order — ranked 55th globally, making them Nigeria’s closest African rival. Their continued presence reflects steady progress and competitive performances in regional and international competitions.
🇲🇦 Morocco — The Atlas Lionesses
Morocco remains a strong force in African women’s football, ranked 66th in the world and typically third among African sides. Their climb over recent years shows growth, especially following competitive outings at tournaments like WAFCON.
🇬🇭 Ghana — Black Queens on the Move
One of the most exciting stories from the latest ranking release is Ghana’s rise. The Black Queens have moved up five places to 62nd globally, marking progress and increasing competitiveness on the continent.
🔎 Continental Snapshot: Who’s Ahead?
Here’s how the African women’s teams stack up in the December 2025 FIFA ranking:
| Team | World Rank | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🇳🇬 Nigeria | 37th | Africa’s highest-ranked team ✨ |
| 🇿🇦 South Africa | 55th | Strong rival with steady performances |
| 🇬🇭 Ghana | 62nd | Rising fast after strong recent results |
| 🇲🇦 Morocco | 66th | Third in Africa and growing in stature |
| 🇿🇲 Zambia | 64th | Competitive outsider |
This snapshot underscores the tightening competitiveness among African sides — an exciting trend ahead of continental tournaments and World Cup qualifiers.
📈 What the Rankings Tell Us
📍 Nigeria Still in Command
Despite the slight slip, Nigeria’s position reaffirms their status as Africa’s benchmark in women’s football. Their historical success and experience give them a foundation that few teams on the continent can rival.
📍 Emerging Rivals
Teams like Ghana and South Africa show that Africa’s top-tier competition is deepening. Ghana’s jump up the rankings reflects solid progress, while South Africa’s presence just behind Nigeria illustrates how close the competition has become.
📍 Morocco’s Steady Growth
Though a few positions behind, Morocco continues to build momentum — especially through hard-fought continental matches and improving infrastructure that supports women’s football development.
🌍 Looking Forward
With the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on the horizon — and acting as qualifiers for future global events — these rankings add extra spice to African women’s football. Nigeria will aim to defend their continental supremacy, while challengers look to narrow the gap even further.
🔥 Final Takeaway
Nigeria may have dropped a spot, but their continental dominance remains unshaken. With rising competition from Ghana, South Africa, and Morocco, fans can expect fiercer battles and more thrilling football throughout Africa in 2026 and beyond.
📊 References
- Nigeria’s Super Falcons slip one spot but remain Africa’s top-ranked team — Nigeria now sits 37th in the world yet retains the No. 1 position on the continent. Sports Village Square
- South Africa’s Banyana Banyana continue just behind Nigeria in continental rankings — around 55th globally. Sports Village Square
📈 Rival Teams’ Movements
- Ghana’s Black Queens climbed five places, now ranked 62nd in the world and third among African teams. GBC Ghana Online
- Coverage confirms Ghana’s rise in the latest rankings. Citi Sports Online
🏆 Other Context (for broader background)
- Nigeria’s role as continental champions and African women’s football dominance is referenced in various ranking posts. aclsport
