Morocco have broken into FIFA's top five men's team rankings, becoming the first Arab country to do so, Al Jazeera reported. The Atlas Lions climbed two places from their previous best of seventh. They overtook Brazil and Portugal on points on Sunday.
The jump follows strong recent results in continental matches. Since the World Cup in North America, Morocco have kept a 100 percent record in qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). On Friday they thrashed Niger 5-0 in front of a loud home crowd in Rabat.
Morocco are also the first African and Arab country to reach back-to-back World Cup quarterfinals. France knocked them out at that stage in consecutive tournaments, according to Al Jazeera. Their 2026 run fell short of their showing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. There they became the first semifinalists from Africa and the Arab world.
Their latest continental title remains in dispute. CAF stripped Senegal of this year's AFCON title and declared Morocco champions. Yet Senegal had won January's final in Rabat 1-0 after extra time. Senegal have appealed, and the case will go to a hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
During the final, Senegal walked off the pitch for 14 minutes after a late penalty was awarded against them. Several players went back to the dressing room in protest before play resumed. Morocco missed the penalty, and Senegal scored the winner in extra time.
Two months later, CAF's Appeal Board ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match by walking off. It overturned the result and awarded Morocco a 3-0 win. The title is Morocco's second AFCON crown since 1976. The country will also co-host the 2030 World Cup.