DOHA: Morocco climbed to a record eighth in the latest FIFA men’s world rankings on Monday, achieving their highest-ever position despite losing the Africa Cup of Nations final to Senegal.
The Atlas Lions were beaten by Senegal in Sunday’s decider in Rabat but had a golden chance to claim the title in regulation time. Brahim Diaz missed a last-gasp penalty after a 14-minute delay caused by Senegal’s players walking off the field in protest at the decision.
Morocco’s rise of three places sees the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists surpass their previous best ranking of 10th, set in April 1998. The highest ranking ever achieved by an African nation remains Nigeria’s fifth place in April 1994, while Egypt hold the best mark among Arab teams at ninth in July 2010.
AFCON champions Senegal also made significant progress, climbing seven places to 12th — their highest-ever ranking. The Lions of Teranga have now won two of the last three AFCON titles, improving on their previous best ranking of 17th in 2024.The tournament had a major impact across the continent.
Bronze medallists Nigeria rose 12 places to 26th after gaining 79.09 ranking points, matching Cameroon’s climb to 45th as the biggest movers. Egypt, semi-finalists at the tournament, moved up four places to 31st, three spots behind Algeria.
