Nigeria’s mixed results see them retain 26th spot, while Morocco climb to a historic seventh ahead of World Cup

Argentina have maintained their grip on world football’s summit, topping the latest FIFA rankings released on Thursday and laying down a marker ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The South American giants kept first place after a run of impressive international victories, with Spain and France following in second and third, respectively.

Spain’s recent draw and win were enough to hold off France, who dropped to third after a setback before recovering with subsequent wins. England and Portugal round out the top five, while Brazil sit just outside in sixth position.

For Nigerian fans, the Super Eagles remain Africa’s second highest-ranked side globally, holding on to 26th place despite a patchy run of form. Recent outings saw Nigeria triumph over Zimbabwe and Jamaica at the Unity Cup in London, but those highs were tempered by a 2-2 draw against Poland and a narrow 2-1 loss to Portugal in friendlies. The final scorelines and goal scorers for these matches were not fully detailed in available reports.

Morocco made headlines by climbing to seventh – the highest ranking ever for an African nation – as they continue their surge following last year’s global performances. This means only Morocco sits above Nigeria among CAF teams in the latest list.

Neither the Super Eagles coaching staff nor the Nigerian Football Federation had issued any statement reacting to the rankings at press time.

Attention now shifts toward preparations for the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup set to take place across the United States, Mexico and Canada. With a record 48 teams expected, Nigeria will be looking to improve on their current standing when qualification resumes later this year.

Source: https://punchng.com/fifa-ranking-argentina-retain-top-spot-as-nigeria-hold-26th-position/

The former Chelsea boss believes the unwanted star could bring fresh energy and experience to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have been advised by ex-manager Marcos Alonso to consider signing a 28-year-old player currently out of favour at his club, with claims that the move could help revive the Blues’ fortunes. Details about the specific player, club, or position were not provided in the available report.

Calls for reinforcements come as Chelsea continue to struggle for consistency in the Premier League, with many fans demanding changes ahead of the new season. The suggestion from Alonso signals growing pressure on the club’s hierarchy to act decisively in the transfer market, especially as Stamford Bridge faithful hope for a return to their former glory.

While neither Chelsea’s board nor current head coach have commented publicly on Alonso’s recommendation, it reflects ongoing debates around squad quality and depth. No further expert opinions or official reactions were available at press time.

Chelsea are yet to announce any major summer signings. Fans will be watching closely as pre-season approaches, eager for news that could signal a stronger campaign when the league resumes.

Source: https://www.pulsesports.ng/story/he-will-improve-chelsea-alonso-advised-to-sign-28-year-old-unwanted-star-2026061112533052991

Nigerians on social media compare Chukwueze to Messi as his late cameo draws heavy criticism after another defeat

The Super Eagles suffered defeat against Portugal, with Samuel Chukwueze coming under intense fire from Nigerian fans for his performance off the bench. The final score was not reported at press time, and details about the goalscorers or the exact minute of Chukwueze’s appearance were not available in the source.

The match, played at an unspecified venue and date according to available reports, saw Chukwueze feature as a substitute for the Super Eagles. His cameo failed to impress many supporters, who took to social media platforms to vent their frustration. Several comments compared the winger’s style unfavourably to Lionel Messi, highlighting a missed chance that proved costly in Nigeria’s defeat.

For Super Eagles supporters, this result adds more pressure ahead of upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The squad’s attacking output remains a concern, especially with big names like Chukwueze struggling to make an impact when it matters most.

Neither the Super Eagles coaching crew nor Samuel Chukwueze had issued a statement at press time regarding the criticism. There were also no reactions from Portugal’s camp or official match analysts in available reports.

The Super Eagles will be looking to regroup quickly ahead of their next fixture, but details on their upcoming opponent, date, and venue were not provided in the source material.

Source: https://www.pulsesports.ng/story/nigerians-slam-samuel-chukwueze-after-missed-chance-in-super-eagles-defeat-to-portugal-2026061112445339171