FIFA Rankings: Super Eagles Rise, Belgium, France Joint-Top

Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Thursday moved up by one spot to 48th position in the new FIFA rankings released by the World football governing body, on Thursday.

Nigeria garnered 1415 points in September, placing it fifth on the continental stage behind Tunisia, Senegal, Congo DR and Morocco.

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Nigeria defeated Liberia by 2-1 in a friendly in September, after beating Seychelles in the African Nations Cup qualifiers to renew hopes of making it to the next year’s event.

Belgium joined world champions France as joint leaders, the first time in the table’s 25-year history that top spot has been shared.

Recall the Les Bleus defeated Belgium in the semi-finals at Russia 2018 before Roberto Martinez’s side claimed third place, Belgium also overcame Scotland 4-0 in a friendly and won their Nations League debut 3-0 against Iceland earlier this month to join the world champions at the top.

France, meanwhile, were held to a goalless draw by Germany in Munich before beating Netherlands 2-1 in Nations League Group A1.

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Both teams find themselves on 1729 ranking points, well ahead of third-placed Brazil. The World Cup quarter-finalists, who fell at the hands of the Belgians in Russia, have 1663 points.

The only other change in the top 10 saw Denmark, who played an international against Slovakia last month, slip down one place to 10th, below Spain.

FIFA world rankings as of September 20
1=. Belgium (+1) 1,729 pts
1=. France 1,729
3. Brazil 1,663
4. Croatia 1,634
5. Uruguay 1,632
6. England 1,612
7. Portugal 1,606
8. Switzerland 1,598
9. Spain 1,597
10. Denmark (-1) 1,581

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