Morocco boss Mohamed Ouahbi says Africa Cup of Nations success matters more than FIFA ranking

Morocco may have briefly climbed to fifth in the FIFA world rankings during the current international break, but manager Mohamed Ouahbi says his side must focus on being ready to win the Africa Cup of Nations.

The rise to fifth equalled the best FIFA ranking ever achieved by an African national team, matching Nigeria’s position in 1994. However, Morocco’s 1-1 friendly draw with Mali on Sunday saw the Atlas Lions drop to seventh in the world.

Ouahbi acknowledged the significance of Morocco’s ranking but insisted it would not dictate the way his team prepares.

“We cannot simply chase the FIFA ranking today and forget that the most important thing is to be ready to play these matches when we arrive at the Africa Cup of Nations,” he said.

“I will not say that I do not pay attention to it or that I do not look at it. No, I know we are fifth and we are very proud.”

Morocco could have opted for more manageable opponents in friendlies, increasing their chances of winning and protecting their position in the rankings. Instead, Ouahbi appears willing to face teams such as Mali, who were able to test and trouble his side.

The FIFA ranking rewards consistency over time, but it does not guarantee silverware. Belgium provide a notable example: they spent several years at the top of the world rankings, including from September 2018 to March 2022, yet their so-called golden generation did not win either the European Championship or the World Cup.

For Ouahbi, the achievement that would carry greater weight is clear. Morocco have won the Africa Cup of Nations only once, in 1976, and the wait of 50 years remains more significant than their place in the FIFA standings.

That record comes as the country awaits the final verdict from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in the case involving the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The ranking change following the Mali draw therefore offers a useful measure of Morocco’s recent consistency, but it is not the target Ouahbi wants his players to pursue above all else. His priority is to ensure the team reaches the Africa Cup of Nations prepared to compete for the trophy.