Nigeria moved a step up on the FIFA world rankings for the month of December despite their inactivity since they lost 1-0 to Guinea in Nations’ Cup qualifier in October.

Eagles

The Eagles were scheduled to play Iran in November, but the Nigeria Football Federation dodged the friendly due to a diplomatic row between the two countries.

Egypt leads the African nations and climbs one place to No. 9 on the world rankings. Ghana moved up to the 16th position and second on the African rankings, Cote’d Ivoire is third on the rankings with its 21 position having moved down from the 19th  position in the November rankings.

Nigeria perched at 32 is fourth while Algeria is fifth on the continent.

Spain ended the year on top of the rankings. The Netherlands, which lost to Spain in July’s final of the World Cup, is second while Germany has moved ahead of Brazil into third since last month.

Argentina and England stay fifth and six. Spain has finished No. 1 for the third straight year.

The United States tops the CONCACAF region, rising six places to No. 18. Australia drops six places to No. 26 but still heads the Asian confederation.

One of the biggest movers over the last year has been Montenegro, which has soared to No. 25 from No. 74.
Russia, which won the right to host the 2018 World Cup earlier this month, stays at No. 13, while 2022 host Qatar drops a place to No. 114.