Morocco climbs to record-high eighth in FIFA rankings

Despite a 1-0 loss in the final to Senegal, Morocco climbed three places to its best-ever position after posting five wins, one draw and one loss at Afcon.

20 Jan 2026 01:48pm
Morocco's defender #02 Achraf Hakimi (R) checks his teammate defender #25 Adam Masina after being injured during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) final football match between Senegal and Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on January 18, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
Morocco's defender #02 Achraf Hakimi (R) checks his teammate defender #25 Adam Masina after being injured during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) final football match between Senegal and Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on January 18, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

GENEVA - Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) runner-up Morocco rose to eighth in the latest FIFA men's world rankings, returning to the top 10 for the first time since April 1998, reported Xinhua.

Despite a 1-0 loss in the final to Senegal, Morocco climbed three places to its best-ever position after posting five wins, one draw and one loss at Afcon.

Senegal also rose to 12th, up seven places, after reclaiming the continental crown with six wins and one draw.

The top seven teams remained unchanged, with Spain leading the rankings, followed by Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal and the Netherlands.

Belgium, Germany and Croatia each dropped one place to ninth through 11th, respectively. - BERNAMA-XINHUA 

 

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