Morocco climbs the FIFA rankings, Brazil retains first place ahead of Argentina

December 22 – Morocco climbed the FIFA rankings after their spectacular World Cup semi-final. Newly crowned world champions Argentina advanced to runners-up and quarter-finals Brazil, who virtually retained their top spot.

The North Africans are ranked 11th in the world, FIFA revealed on Thursday, toppling Senegal as the highest ranked African team.

This is the highest ranking for an African team since Egypt was 9th in 2010. In 1994, Nigeria claimed what remains to this day the highest position ever recorded in the FIFA rankings for a CAF nation, 5th place in the FIFA rankings. Morocco became the biggest climber of the year, 17 places more than in 2021.

In Qatar, Morocco became the revelation of the tournament, navigating a tough group that included 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia, 2018 bronze medalists Belgium and Canada, with bravery and knocking out the powerhouses Iberians that are Spain and Portugal in the second round and last eight respectively. before meeting their match in then defending champion France in the semi-finals.

The Moroccans' success was built on firm defence, team spirit, bursts of attacking flair and good training from national coach Walid Regragui, which led CAF boss Patrice Motsepe to predict that an African team will reach the World Cup final in 2026.

World champions Argentina moved into second place but trailed Brazil, who remain first despite falling in the quarter-finals against Luka Modric and Croatia. France, second in Lusail, completes the podium in third position.

After a disastrous World Cup, Belgium, who parted ways with coach Roberto Martinez, fell to fourth place while quarter-finalists England completed the top five. Denmark left the top 10.

To see the full ranking, click here.

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