FIFA women's ranking: the new African top 10

After the 2026 Women's AFCON, the new FIFA women's ranking reshapes the hierarchy of Africa's top ten national teams

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FIFA women's ranking: the new African top 10

FIFA updated its women's ranking on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. With Nigeria dropping and Cameroon surging, the African hierarchy is changing.

The latest publication of the FIFA Women's World Ranking reflects the consequences of the latest international matches and the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations. While Nigeria remains Africa's top-ranked team, several national teams have changed positions in the world ranking, notably Cameroon, now established on the continental podium.

FIFA women's ranking: Africa's ten best national teams

Here is the African top 10 as of October 20, 2026, with the total number of points, world ranking and change compared with the previous ranking:

Nigeria: 1,518.02 points - 43rd in the world (7 places dropped).
South Africa: 1,427.91 points - 59th in the world (2 places dropped).
Cameroon: 1,416.49 points - 62nd in the world (9 places gained).
Morocco: 1,384.71 points - 64th in the world (unchanged).
Ghana: 1,383.11 points - 65th in the world (5 places dropped).
Zambia: 1,363.47 points - 70th in the world (5 places dropped).
Côte d’Ivoire: 1,349.27 points - 72nd in the world (unchanged).
Algeria: 1,346.06 points - 73rd in the world (1 place gained).
Senegal: 1,310.26 points - 76th in the world (3 places gained).
Mali: 1,246.96 points - 86th in the world (2 places gained).

Cameroon rewarded as Nigeria loses ground

Despite holding the top continental position, Nigeria drops seven places in the international hierarchy and loses 83.54 points, the biggest drop recorded in this update. Cameroon, by contrast, climbs nine places after its triumph over Malawi in the 2026 Women's AFCON final. The Cameroonians now move ahead of Morocco, which remains fourth in Africa.

South Africa retains second place on the continent despite a slight decline. Further down, Algeria gains one place in the world ranking after finishing third at the AFCON, while Senegal and Mali also record progress.

Malawi makes the most spectacular rise

Outside the African top 10, Malawi makes the most impressive move in this edition: 49 places gained, rising to 104th in the world, with an increase of 158.44 points. This ascent extends its historic run to the Women's AFCON final and its qualification for the 2027 World Cup.