Morocco has climbed to its highest-ever position in the FIFA men’s rankings, rising three places to 8th in the world. This historic achievement comes despite the Atlas Lions losing the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final to Senegal, proving that consistent high-level performances can outweigh a single defeat.
Senegal, crowned AFCON champions for the second time in the last three tournaments, also enjoyed a major boost. The Lions of Teranga surged seven places to reach an all-time high of 12th in the global standings, underlining their growing dominance on the international stage.
The AFCON tournament triggered widespread movement across African teams in the rankings. Nigeria and Cameroon recorded the biggest gains, each jumping 12 places following impressive campaigns. Egypt also made progress, edging up to 31st after reaching the semifinals.
Not all teams saw positive changes. Equatorial Guinea experienced the steepest decline, dropping 10 places to 107th after an underwhelming run.
At the top of the global rankings, European champions Spain remain firmly in first place. However, the latest FIFA standings highlight a powerful shift, as African teams continue to gain respect and prestige worldwide—showing that even in defeat, strong tournament performances can leave a lasting impact.
