The Super Eagles of Nigeria have experienced a decline in the latest FIFA Coca-Cola world ranking, falling to the 40th position.

This ranking, which was officially released on Thursday, September 21st on FIFA’s website, sees Nigeria currently occupying the sixth position in Africa. The top five positions on the continent are held by Morocco (1st), Senegal (2nd), Tunisia (3rd), Algeria (4th), and Egypt (5th).

Interestingly, Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Group C qualifying opponents have not fared much better. Lesotho, who are set to face Nigeria in the qualifiers’ opening game in November, have dropped to the 152nd position. South Africa and Benin Republic also experienced declines, slipping to the 65th and 94th places, respectively. Zimbabwe maintained their 125th spot, while Rwanda held onto the 139th position.

Furthermore, Saudi Arabia, slated to play a friendly against the Super Eagles in October, also dropped to the 57th position.

Argentina has solidified its position at the top of the ranking after securing a 1-0 victory over Ecuador and a 3-0 away win against Bolivia in the opening FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

France, in the second position, has lost some ground following a 2-1 friendly defeat against Germany. Meanwhile, Brazil (3rd), England (4th), and Belgium (5th) have maintained their places in the top five rankings, which have remained unchanged since the July 2023 edition of the global ranking.

Croatia (6th), the Netherlands (7th), and Portugal (8th) follow closely behind. Italy (9th) has slipped down a spot after being held to a 1-1 draw away to North Macedonia in the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifier. The top-ten lineup is rounded out by Spain.

The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking update is scheduled for October 26th.

Lesley Ugochukwu’s intention to follow in the footsteps of Chelsea icon Mikel Obi shows his admiration for the former Chelsea midfielder and his desire to make a significant impact at the club.

Chelsea fans will likely appreciate Ugochukwu’s ambition and hope that he can contribute to the club’s success in the same way Mikel Obi did during his time at Stamford Bridge.

Ugochukwu remarked, via Chelsea’s official website:

“Just look at all the trophies he [Mikel Obi] has won and the legends that have passed through the club.

“They say I can become a great midfielder like him if I put in the work and everything goes well. I want to be like him but it’s up to me to prove that I can have my place in the long term.

“I wanted to take this step. When a club of this stature comes in for you, it’s very difficult to refuse.

“I have great confidence in myself, in my qualities, in what I can do. I know that if I do things correctly, everything will go as planned.

“I have the trust of the club, of the staff, that’s what pushed me to say to myself: Go for it! If they came for you, it’s because you have the qualities.”

The nominees for The Best FIFA Men’s Player award include Victor Osimhen, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland, among others.

Manchester City dominates the list with six of their players, including Ederson in the goalkeepers’ category.

Pep Guardiola and Ange Postecoglou are among the nominees for the men’s coach award.

In addition to the men’s awards, there are also nominations for women’s awards.

England’s Lionesses, who reached the final of the Women’s World Cup, have several players nominated, including Rachel Daly, Alex Greenwood, Lauren James, Keira Walsh, and Mary Earps.

Sarina Wiegman and Emma Hayes are nominated for the women’s coach award.

The awards will be based on performances from December 19, 2022, to August 2023 for the men’s categories and from August 1, 2022, to August 20, 2023, for the women’s categories.

The winners will be decided by an international jury of coaches, captains, journalists, and fans.

The Best FIFA Men’s Player Nominees

Julián Álvarez (Argentina); Marcelo Brozović (Croatia); Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium); İlkay Gündoğan (Germany); Erling Haaland (Norway); Rodri (Spain); Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia); Kylian Mbappé (France); Lionel Messi (Argentina); Victor Osimhen (Nigeria); Declan Rice (England); Bernardo Silva (Portugal).

The Best FIFA Women’s Player Nominees

Aitana Bonmatí (Spain); Linda Caicedo (Colombia); Rachel Daly (England); Kadidiatou Diani (France); Caitlin Foord (Australia); Mary Fowler (Australia); Alex Greenwood (England); Jennifer Hermoso (Spain); Lindsey Horan (USA); Amanda Ilestedt (Sweden); Lauren James (England); Sam Kerr (Australia); Mapi León (Spain); Hinata Miyazawa (Japan); Salma Paralluelo (Spain); Keira Walsh (England).

The Best FIFA Women’s Coach Nominees

Peter Gerhardsson (Sweden): Jonatan Giráldez (Spain); Tony Gustavsson (Sweden); Emma Hayes (England); Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands).

The Best FIFA Men’s Coach Nominees

Pep Guardiola (Spain); Simone Inzaghi (Italy); Ange Postecoglou (Australia); Luciano Spalletti (Italy); Xavi (Spain).

The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper Nominees

Mackenzie Arnold (Australia); Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany); Catalina Coll (Spain); Mary Earps (England); Christiane Endler (Chile); Zećira Mušović (Sweden); Sandra Paños García-Villamil (Spain).

The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper Nominees

Yassine Bounou (Morocco); Thibaut Courtois (Belgium); Ederson (Brazil); André Onana (Cameroon); Marc-André ter Stegen (Germany).

The FIFA Fan Award Nominees

Club Atlético Colón de Santa Fe fan (Argentina); Fran Hurndall (England); Miguel Ángel, Millonarios fan (Colombia).