Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals of the World Cup means they will end the year as the highest-ranked footballing nation in Africa, according to world governing body Fifa.
The Atlas Lions’ run has earned them a spectacular jump as the year’s highest climbers on the global rankings, moving up 11 places to 11th.
The North Africans topped their group in Qatar, beating Belgium and Canada in the process, before dispatching Spain and Portugal in the knockout phase to become the first African country to reach the last four of a World Cup.
Morocco’s highest-ever ranking was 10th in 1998 while they fell as low as 92nd in 2015.
They replace continental champions Senegal as Africa’s top dogs after the Teranga Lions’ were eliminated by England in the second round in Qatar.
Three other African countries have also risen by more than ten places in the official Fifa Men’s Rankings since December 2021.
Gambia has jumped 24 places to 126th, Cameroon, who beat Brazil at the World Cup, has climbed 17 places to 33rd and Equatorial Guinea 16 steps to 198th.
Meanwhile in the region, Uganda tops the region as they rank 89th in the world and 18th in Africa with Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania and Rwanda completing the top five.
Even though they failed to make it past the quarter-finals in Qatar, Argentina’s results haven’t been enough to overtake Brazil at the global rankings.
Argentina is not the number one team in the FIFA rankings this month, despite winning the 2022 World Cup.
Instead, the world football governing body will rate Brazil ahead of their South American rivals. Brazil have held the top position since February, when they overtook Belgium.
Africa’s Top 10 on December’s Fifa Men’s Rankings (global position in brackets):
-Morocco (11)
-Senegal (19)
-Tunisia (30)
-Cameroon (33)
-Nigeria (35)
-Egypt (39)
-Algeria (40)
-Mali (45)
-Ivory Coast (47)
-Burkina Faso (50)
