Following a dramatic and enthralling final at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Morocco narrowly missed out on claiming the continental crown for the first time in 50 years. Yet, despite the heartbreak, the Atlas Lions received a historic boost in the latest FIFA World Rankings.
The newly released rankings, updated yesterday, see Morocco leap three places to eighth—marking their highest-ever position in history. Previously, the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists had reached a best ranking of tenth, which they had first achieved in April 1998. Ashraf Hakimi and his teammates can now celebrate this unprecedented achievement on the global stage.
Senegal, the victorious side in this year’s AFCON and making their second continental triumph, also climbed to record heights. Led by captain Sadio Mané, the Lions of Teranga improved seven places, now occupying 12th in the FIFA rankings. Prior to this, their best ranking had been 17th in 2024.
Africa’s all-time highest-ranked team remains Nigeria, who reached fifth place in April 1994. Among Arab nations, Egypt achieved a peak of ninth in July 2010.
The AFCON tournament produced significant movements across the continent. Bronze medalists Nigeria recorded the largest points gain in Africa, reaching 79.09 points and climbing 12 places to 26th. Cameroon also moved up 12 spots, now ranked 45th. These two teams were the most improved in this latest ranking update.
Egypt, who reached the semi-finals, rose four positions to 31st, three places below Algeria. Teams exiting at the group stage experienced setbacks: Gabon lost the most points, dropping 44.97 to 86th, while Guinea fell ten places to 107th.
At the global top, the first seven positions remain unchanged. Spain retains the number one spot, followed by Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, and the Netherlands.
AFCON 2024: Notable Ranking Changes for African Teams
| Team | Previous Rank | Current Rank | Change | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morocco | 11 | 8 | +3 | — |
| Senegal | 19 | 12 | +7 | — |
| Nigeria | 38 | 26 | +12 | 79.09 |
| Cameroon | 57 | 45 | +12 | — |
| Egypt | 35 | 31 | +4 | — |
| Algeria | 28 | 28 | 0 | — |
| Gabon | 42 | 86 | −44.97 | — |
| Guinea | 97 | 107 | −10 | — |
The tournament has not only crowned a new African champion but also reshaped the continent’s presence on the global football map, signalling a period of unprecedented progress for several teams.