Morocco have achieved yet another significant milestone thanks to their outstanding and historic performance in the recently concluded 2022 FIFA World Cup in which they finished 4th.
Morocco’s victory over Belgium, Canada, Spain, and Portugal helped the country move up 11 places in the most recent FIFA world rankings, which were released on Thursday, from position 22 to position 11.
They were the first African nation to make it to the FIFA World Cup semifinals, where France defeated them before losing to Croatia in the third-place playoff.
The Moroccan team had a successful run in the competition, which spread joy throughout the nation, Africa, and the Arab World.
After their incredible World Cup run, the Atlas Lions were welcomed home by a sizable crowd of cheering supporters who had lined the streets.
They were later honored for their efforts at the Qatar World Cup by King Mohammed VI at the Royal Palace in Rabat.
The monarch, presented Royal wissams (medals) to the national team’s players as well as to head coach Walid Regragui in appreciation of his work in preparing and successfully guiding the Atlas Lions throughout the international competition.
The players received third-class Order of the Throne Wissams (Officer) while the president of the Moroccan Federation of Football, Faouzi Lekjaa, and Walid Regragui, received second-class Order of the Throne Wissams (Commander).
Now, Morocco surpasses nations like Germany, Uruguay, the USA, Denmark, and African Champions Senegal.
Brazil remains the top-ranked team in the world, followed by Argentina, the new world champions, despite being eliminated by Croatia in the quarterfinals. France, whom finished second, is now ranked third, ahead of Belgium and England.
Morocco and Australia both advanced 11 positions in the most recent ranking, marking the largest jumps. The biggest falls, each losing 12 places, were experienced by Canada and Qatar.
The Atlas Lions are now the highest African national team after replacing Senegal who are ranked 19th globally.
