Morocco have entered FIFA’s top five men’s team rankings for the first time in history. The national side climbed two spots from their previous best position of number seven.
The Atlas Lions overtook both Brazil and Portugal on points on Sunday. The rise follows a series of strong performances in recent continental football matches.
Morocco already hold the distinction of being the first African and Arab team to reach back-to-back World Cup quarterfinals. They were knocked out by France in consecutive tournaments.
The team reached the semifinals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, exceeding all expectations. They became the first Arab and African semifinalists in tournament history.
Mohamed Ouhabi leads the squad following the tournament in North America. The team has maintained a perfect win record in the current qualification matches for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Morocco defeated Niger 5-0 on Friday in their latest qualification fixture, playing in front of a loud home crowd in Rabat.
The squad currently leads Group A by nine points as defending continental champions, though their AFCON title is subject to a pending hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport after Senegal appealed.
Senegal originally beat the hosts 1-0 after extra time in January’s final in Rabat before the Confederation of African Football stripped them of the title.
Senegal players walked off the pitch for 14 minutes after a late penalty was awarded against them in regulation time, with some going to the dressing room in protest.
Morocco missed the resulting penalty kick, forcing the match into extra time where Senegal scored the winner. Two months later, the CAF Appeal Board ruled that Senegal forfeited the match by walking off.
The board overturned the result and awarded a 3-0 victory to Morocco. This controversial title marked the northwestern African side’s second AFCON championship since 1976. Morocco is also scheduled to cohost the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
