The Super Falcons team of Nigeria has moved a nudge further in the latest rankings on FIFA’s standings, with the senior women’s team earning the 40th spot in world football.
The Falcons saw themselves outside the top 40 ranks after the international break in February/March 2023, with the team sitting 42nd at the end of March.
In May, the Falcons enjoyed a blistering run of form, following consecutive wins over Costa Rica, Haiti, and World Cup Hosts New Zealand a month prior, as Randy Waldrum sets up his team in final preparations for the World Cup this summer.
As of June 2023 the latest FIFA rankings place the Super Falcons in 40th position ahead of Chile and Hungary in 41st and 42nd respectively, and behind Romania and Slovenia in 38th and 39th respectively.
The Super Falcons will battle both World’s 6th-best team – Canada, alongside co-host nation and Oceania’s best team – New Zealand in Group B when the World Cup starts in July.
The Republic of Ireland is 19th-best in Europe, but 30th in the world, which is 10 steps ahead of the Super Falcons, leaving the Nigerian team as the lowest-ranked team in the group.
The rankings will not deter Randy Waldrum’s team from the main objective, which is qualifying for the knockout stages, which also has financial incentives to motivate each player participating in the World Cup tournament.
