The Moroccan national football team, known as the Atlas Lions, has recently achieved an unprecedented milestone by ascending to the sixth spot in the FIFA world rankings. This remarkable feat comes in the wake of Portugal's unexpected draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo, which occurred during the opening day of the 2026 World Cup group stage. This unexpected outcome not only cost Portugal critical points but also allowed Morocco to leapfrog into a prestigious position.
As it stands, Morocco has accumulated a total of 1,755.62 points, slightly surpassing Portugal's 1,755.09 points, creating a narrow lead of just 0.53 points between the two teams. Portugal, which entered the World Cup ranked fifth globally, faced a significant setback as a result of their draw against a lower-ranked opponent, losing 12.76 points and dropping two places in the rankings. In contrast, Brazil capitalized on this slip, moving up to fifth position.
Prior to the commencement of the World Cup, Morocco was already celebrating its highest historical ranking at seventh place, as determined by the official FIFA standings released on June 11. This temporary elevation in status reflects the momentum generated by their historic semifinal run in the 2022 World Cup, followed by a symbolic victory at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which is currently awaiting a final decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
However, it is essential to note that Morocco's sixth-place ranking is provisional. FIFA will only confirm the official standings after the conclusion of all relevant international matches, with the next update scheduled for July 20 following the World Cup. The Lions of the Atlas kicked off their World Cup journey with a valuable 1-1 draw against Brazil, showcasing one of the strongest performances of the opening day. Ismail Saibari netted the first goal for Morocco, only for Vinícius Júnior to equalize for Brazil in a match that received acclaim from international media.
As the team, led by coach Walid Regragui, prepares for their next match against Scotland on Friday, they will also face Haiti on June 24 to conclude the group stage. Strong performances in these two fixtures could provide the Moroccan squad, under the guidance of Mohamed Wahbi, with the opportunity to solidify or even enhance their position in the global rankings, further establishing their status as the top African team in the world.
As reported by goal.com.
