December 22 – Morocco have climbed the FIFA ranking following their spectacular semi-final run at the World Cup, with newly crowned world champions Argentina moving into second and quarter-finalists Brazil just about holding on to top spot.
The North Africans are ranked 11th in the world, FIFA revealed on Thursday, toppling Senegal as the highest ranked African team.
It’s the highest ranking for an African team since Egypt was 9th in 2010. In 1994, Nigeria claimed, what remains to date the highest position ever on the FIFA ranking for a CAF nation, 5th spot on the FIFA ranking. Morocco became the year’s highest climbers, 17 places up from 2021.
In Qatar, Morocco became the tournament revelation, navigating a difficult group that included 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia, 2018 bronze medalists Belgium and Canada with bravura and knocking out Iberian powerhouses Spain and Portugal in the second round and last eight respectively before meeting their match in then defending champions France in the semi-finals.
The Moroccans’ success was built on firm defending, team spirits, bursts of attacking flair and the fine coaching of domestic coach Walid Regragui, leading CAF boss Patrice Motsepe to predict that an African team will reach the World Cup final in 2026.
The world champions Argentina moved into second place but they trail Brazil who remain first despite crashing out in the quarter-finals against Luka Modric and Croatia. France, runners-up in Lusail, complete the podium in third.
Following a disastrous World Cup, Belgium, who parted ways with their coach Roberto Martinez, dropped to fourth place while England, quarter-finalists, complete the top five. Denmark have dropped out of the top ten.
To see the full ranking click here.
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