Mohamed Ouahbi plays down FIFA ranking as Morocco target AFCON glory

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi has insisted that winning the Africa Cup of Nations is more important than improving the Atlas Lions’ position in the FIFA rankings.

Morocco briefly climbed to fifth in the world rankings during the international break, matching the highest position ever achieved by an African team, a record also reached by Nigeria in 1994.

However, the Atlas Lions dropped to seventh after Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Mali.

For Ouahbi, the change in ranking does not alter Morocco’s main objective. The coach said his priority is to prepare the team properly and compete for the Africa Cup of Nations.

“We are very happy to be fifth in the FIFA rankings. Now, we have only one objective: to qualify, prepare and win the Africa Cup, inshallah,” he explained after the match.

Ouahbi acknowledged that Morocco’s position in the FIFA rankings remains significant, but said it should not influence the way his team prepares for major competitions.

The coach does not want Morocco to focus on accumulating ranking points at the expense of facing opponents who can provide a stronger test.

“We can’t solely focus on the FIFA rankings and forget that the most important thing is that, when we arrive at the Africa Cup of Nations, we’re ready to play those matches. I’m not going to say I don’t pay attention to it, that I don’t look at it: no, I know, we’re 5th, we’re very proud,” the coach insisted.

Morocco could potentially protect its ranking by choosing more manageable opponents and increasing the likelihood of winning friendly matches.

Ouahbi, however, appears more interested in testing his team against difficult opposition, such as Mali, rather than simply seeking results that could help maintain a high FIFA position.

“If that’s the case, we’ll ask for more matches, we’ll try to play against other teams. We’ll be happy, we’ll have won, we’ll be fifth, but we might not be able to win the African Cup,” he summarized.

For the Morocco coach, the FIFA ranking is therefore a measure of progress rather than the ultimate target.

The example of Belgium also highlights the difference between a high ranking and winning major international trophies. Belgium spent several years at the top of the FIFA rankings, including between September 2018 and March 2022, but did not win either the European Championship or the World Cup during that period.

Ouahbi’s focus is instead on the Africa Cup of Nations, where Morocco’s record remains modest despite its recent rise in international football.

The Atlas Lions have won the continental title only once, in 1976. Their long wait for another AFCON trophy therefore carries greater importance for Ouahbi than their position in the FIFA rankings.

With Morocco awaiting the final verdict from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in the case concerning the 2025 AFCON final, the coach’s message remains clear: the ranking matters, but winning the Africa Cup of Nations matters more.