Morocco’s national football team have climbed to an all-time high of eighth place in the January 2026 FIFA Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking, while Senegal’s national football team also reached new heights after their Africa Cup of Nations triumph, rising to 12th.
The latest rankings reflect the significant impact of the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations, with both finalists rewarded for their outstanding performances on the continental stage. Despite suffering disappointment in the final, hosts Morocco returned to the top ten for the first time since April 1998, achieving their best-ever position in the global standings.
AFCON champions Senegal enjoyed an even bigger leap, climbing seven places to reach 12th, the highest ranking in the nation’s history. The Teranga Lions’ continental success underlined their growing stature in world football and further strengthened Africa’s presence among the leading international teams.
At the top of the rankings, there was no change, with Spain retaining first place ahead of reigning world champions Argentina in second and France in third. Morocco’s rise came at the expense of several European sides, including Croatia, Belgium and Germany, all of whom dropped places in the latest update.
Elsewhere, a strong showing by African teams was evident across the rankings, with Nigeria and Cameroon each registering significant climbs, while Algeria, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire and DR Congo also made notable progress. CAF now counts nine nations inside the top 50, highlighting the growing competitiveness of African football on the global stage.
The next edition of the FIFA Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking is scheduled for release on 1 April 2026.
