FIFA, which stands for Fédération Internationale de Football Association (French for ‘International Federation of Association Football’), has ranked national men’s football teams worldwide.
They did this by evaluating their match results, the significance of each game, and the strength of their opponents.
Although European and South American teams dominate the top positions, Africa continues to maintain a strong and competitive presence through a core group of elite nations. 
However, the ranking formula itself plays a major role in shaping where African teams end up on the global list.
ALSO READ: RANKED: Top 10 Best Players at AFCON 2025
How FIFA Calculates Ranking Points
FIFA uses a points-based formula to assess every international match:
P = M × I × T × C
Each component influences how many points a team earns after every game.
- M (Match result): A win earns 3 points, a draw 1 point, and a loss 0. Wins in penalty shootouts count as 2 points, and losses in shootouts count as 1 point.
- I (Importance of match): Competitive matches like World Cup qualifiers and continental finals are weighted more heavily than friendlies.
- T (Opponent strength): Beating higher-ranked teams earns more points.
- C (Confederation strength): Adjusts points based on the historical success of the team’s confederation at World Cups.
While African teams perform well on the pitch, the confederation strength factor (C) often limits how many points they can accumulate compared to teams from Europe and South America.
What Is Confederation Strength?
FIFA gives each continental confederation a strength value based on past performance in recent World Cup finals:
- UEFA/CONMEBOL (Europe & South America): 1.00
- CONCACAF (North & Central America): 0.88
- AFC / CAF (Asia & Africa): 0.86
- OFC (Oceania): 0.85
In simple terms, this means:
- Teams from Europe and South America get full value for wins because their confederations have historically been the most successful at the World Cup.
- African teams (CAF) get a slightly lower multiplier (0.86). As a result, even if an African team wins against the same opponent as a European team, the African side earns fewer ranking points due to the confederation strength factor.
- Over time, this influences how high teams climb globally, even if they perform strongly on the pitch.
This system is designed to reflect past performances at the highest level, but it also creates a structural challenge for African teams trying to break into the very top of the world ranking.
Africa’s Top Teams and Their FIFA World Ranking Positions
Below are Africa’s leading national teams with their most recent global ranking positions:
As of now, there are 211 FIFA member associations. So, basically, the ranking is relative among all 211 teams.
1. Morocco—8th in the World
Morocco is the top-ranked African nation, sitting comfortably inside the global top 10. Their historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and consistent performance in competitive fixtures have helped them maintain this position.
Their ability to defeat high-ranked European teams has significantly boosted their ranking points, even within the limitations of CAF’s confederation coefficient.
2. Senegal—12th in the World
Senegal has emerged as a powerhouse in African football. AFCON winners in 2021 and 2025, with strong results in World Cup qualifiers, they consistently rank as Africa’s second-best team.
Importantly, Senegal frequently plays and defeats strong opponents in meaningful competitions. This consistency allows them to stay near the top of Africa’s rankings.
3. Nigeria—26th in the World
Nigeria continues to be one of Africa’s most competitive nations. With a steady pipeline of young talent and strong performances in AFCON tournaments, the Super Eagles remain a constant presence in the top tier.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have risen 12 places to 26th. Although missing certain major tournaments has affected their ranking points in the past, Nigeria’s recent resurgence has stabilised their position.
4. Algeria—28th in the World
Algeria combines creativity and technical ability. Their regular qualifications and competitive campaigns help maintain their position in the top 30 worldwide.
While inconsistent tournament results occasionally affect their ranking, Algeria’s ability to defeat strong African opponents sustains their position.
5. Egypt—31st in the World
Egypt’s rich tournament pedigree and strong continental performances keep them among the top African sides, despite facing tough global competition.
With multiple AFCON titles and regular appearances in major tournaments, Egypt continues to benefit from competitive match exposure.
YOU MIGHT LIKE: AFCON 2025 Highlights: Walk-Off, Wild Penalty and Senegal’s Triumph
6. Ivory Coast—37th in the World
Despite some ups and downs, Ivory Coast remains a formidable African side with solid results in both AFCON and qualifiers.
As AFCON 2024 champions, Ivory Coast regained prominence, which directly boosted ranking points. As a result, this has pushed them back into Africa’s top rankings after a period of decline.
7. Cameroon—45th in the World
Cameroon remains one of Africa’s most recognisable football nations. Ranked 45th globally out of 211 FIFA member countries, the Indomitable Lions continue to benefit from their strong tournament pedigree and physical style of play.
Although recent results have been inconsistent, Cameroon’s regular participation in AFCON and World Cup qualifiers helps them stay competitive in the rankings. Their experience on the international stage ensures they remain firmly within Africa’s top tier, even as newer teams push for higher positions.
What This Means for African Football
Despite structural ranking challenges, African teams continue to shine:
- Morocco and Senegal are now regular contenders in the world’s top 20.
- Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, and the Ivory Coast maintain solid global positions, showing the depth of African football.
- Cameroon and other emerging sides continue to push for improvements.
With greater exposure in high-value competitive matches, particularly at World Cups and continental finals, African teams have the opportunity to climb even further.
About The Author
