Morocco have risen to fifth place in the provisional FIFA Men’s World Rankings, surpassing Brazil and Portugal in a significant milestone for African football, following their impressive performances during the November international break.
The Atlas Lions’ rise was boosted by their 5-1 victory over Niger in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, alongside setbacks suffered by Brazil and Portugal.
Brazil lost 3-2 to Japan in an international friendly, while Portugal were beaten 4-1 by Denmark, allowing Morocco to move above both countries in the live rankings.
The North African side’s latest achievement reflects their steady progress in international football since the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Under head coach Walid Regragui, Morocco made history by becoming the first African and Arab nation to reach the semi-finals of the competition.
During their remarkable campaign, Morocco defeated Belgium, Spain and Portugal before losing to eventual runners-up France.
The performance significantly improved their global standing, with the team moving from 22nd position before the tournament to 11th after the World Cup.
Morocco continued their upward trajectory in subsequent years, reaching eighth position in January 2026 and returning to the FIFA top 10 for the first time since 1998.
They also reached the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup before their latest climb in the rankings.
The development has also brought Morocco level with Nigeria’s historic achievement in African football.
The Super Eagles occupied fifth position in the FIFA men’s rankings in April 1994, a record that Morocco have now matched.
Morocco had previously attained fifth place in the official FIFA rankings in September 2026 but slipped to seventh in October after Portugal moved above them.
Their latest improvement has returned them to the top five.
The Atlas Lions will have another opportunity to strengthen their position when they face Niger in their next AFCON qualifying fixture on November 17, ahead of FIFA’s subsequent official ranking update.
FIFA Provisional Men’s World Rankings: Top 10
Spain
Argentina
France
England
Morocco
Brazil
Portugal
Belgium
Netherlands
Mexico
