Morocco have become the first African nation to rise to eighth place in the FIFA world rankings, underlining their status as the continent’s leading force ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The latest standings, published in January 2026, confirm the steady rise of the Atlas Lions, who have returned to the world’s top 10 for the first time since 1998 and reached a position never previously attained by an African team.
The ranking marks another milestone in a journey that began before the 2022 World Cup and has gathered momentum ever since. From Qatar to Morocco, the trajectory has been clear: Morocco are no longer an occasional challenger, but a side now established among the elite of international football.
Before the 2022 tournament, Morocco were respected within Africa but remained outside the global elite, ranked 22nd in the world. That changed dramatically in Qatar, where they reached the semi-finals, becoming the first African nation to do so. Rather than a one-off achievement, the campaign marked the start of a new phase.
Since then, Morocco have had to adapt to a shift in perception. Opponents now prepare for them as they would for any major footballing nation, rather than viewing them as an unpredictable outsider. That transition has come with added pressure and expectation.
The journey has not been without setbacks. Morocco’s elimination in the round of 16 at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire served as a reminder that progress at the highest level requires consistency over time. However, the disappointment did not halt their advance.
Instead, the team responded with renewed intensity. In 2025, Morocco embarked on a remarkable run of form, recording 19 consecutive international victories, a sequence presented as a world record and a reflection of sustained excellence rather than isolated success.
The January 2026 ranking update formally reflects that rise, with Morocco climbing three places to eighth. Although defeat in the continental final on home soil was a disappointment, it did little to overshadow the broader picture: Morocco have crossed a symbolic threshold and joined the group of teams that regularly occupy the top tier of world football.
Elsewhere, Senegal, the reigning African champions, also made significant progress, moving up to 12th place, their highest ranking to date. The shift highlights the growing strength of African football, even as Morocco stand apart at the summit.
With qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada approaching, the implications are clear. Morocco will no longer arrive as underdogs, but as one of the sides expected to compete with the game’s traditional powers.
While rankings alone do not decide matches, they reflect consistency, depth and the ability to perform across competitions. For Morocco, reaching eighth place signals a lasting change in status.
What began as surprise in 2022 has, by 2026, become confirmation.
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