Nigeria Could Reclaim Third Place in Africa If Egypt Lose to Argentina

The Super Eagles of Nigeria could reclaim third place in Africa in the FIFA rankings if Egypt fall to Argentina in their Round of 16 clash at the World Cup.

Egypt, who currently sit 24th in the world with 1,597.05 points, moved into third place on the continent after their victory in the Round of 32, climbing five places globally.

That surge pushed Nigeria down to 26th with 1,585.02 points, despite not playing.

The Pharaohs now face a high-stakes encounter against Argentina, the world’s second-ranked team with 1,913.71 points.

A win would deliver Egypt a massive boost of about +49.2 points, lifting them to roughly 1,646.3 and strengthening their grip on third place in Africa.

Such a result would edge them closer to the world’s top 20, though they would remain behind Senegal (18th globally) and Morocco, Africa’s top-ranked side.

However, defeat would prove costly.

Losing to Argentina would strip Egypt of approximately 49.2 points, dropping them to 1,547.8. That setback would see them fall below Nigeria’s current total, allowing the Super Eagles to reclaim third place in Africa and rise back to 25th in the world, while Egypt would slip to 26th.

Argentina also have much at stake.

Victory would push them to 1,962.9 points, potentially restoring their position at the very top of the global rankings. A loss would drop them to 1,864.5 points, which could see them fall to third worldwide depending on other results.