Despite failing to reach the final of Egypt 2006, Nigeria has moved up twelve (12) places to 12th in the latest Fifa ranking, four (4) above Cameroon and five (5) above the Egyptians. The February edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking is heavily influenced by the CAF Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria (12th, up 12), Cameroon (16th, up 7) and Egypt (17th, up 15) all make it into the top 20.

As the only FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers in the semi-finals, Côte d’Ivoire make a considerable leap up the ranking (32nd, up 10) despite losing out to the hosts on penalties in the final.

There is no change at the top of the ranking, with Brazil leading the way and the Czech Republic, Netherlands and Argentina all in pursuit. The quest for fifth position in the ranking is a tight contest; France are only one point ahead of their nearest competitors, Spain, Mexico and the USA.

This month’s world ranking covers a total of 68 matches: 32 in the African Cup of Nations, 32 friendlies and four matches remaining from the beginning of the year.