Ivory Coast have begun the year on a good note, moving five places up in the latest FIFA rankings released on Thursday, January 19, 2026.
The Elephants gained valuable points, reflecting a period of stability for the three-time African champions following an outstanding performance at the 2025 AFCON tournament.
Despite failing to defend the title, the West African football heavyweights managed quarterfinal spot, falling short to the Pharoahs of Egypt.
Emerse Faé’s team recorded three wins, one draw and one defeat before being knocked out in the quarter-finals of the tournament.
This performance saw them rise from 1489.59 points in December to 1522.48 points in January. From 42nd place in the world in the last rankings, the Ivorians are now in 37th position. In Africa, Côte d’Ivoire has moved up from 7th place to 6th place.
Elsewhere on the continent, Morocco enjoyed a significant rise despite narrowly missing out on the Africa Cup of Nations title. The Atlas Lions climbed three places to eighth in the world, their highest-ever ranking and their first return to the global top ten since April 1998. Morocco’s ascent resulted in Belgium, Croatia and Germany each dropping one place.
AFCON champions Senegal also made a notable statement, surging seven places to 12th worldwide. The jump underscores their dominant continental campaign and represents a new personal best for the Taranga Lions in the FIFA rankings.
At the summit of world football, Spain continue to lead the global standings, with Argentina, France and England completing the top four, as the international landscape continues to evolve at the start of the new year.
The top 20 African nations now stand as follows:
Morocco – 8
Senegal – 12
Nigeria – 26
Algeria – 28
Egypt – 31
Ivory Coast – 37
Cameroon – 45
Tunisia – 47
DR Congo – 48
Mali – 54
South Africa – 60
Burkina Faso – 62
Cape Verde – 67
Ghana – 72
Guinea – 80
Gabon – 86
Uganda – 88
Angola – 89
Zambia – 91
Benin – 92
