Morocco’s national football team, the Atlas Lions, has achieved a historic milestone by climbing to 8th place in the latest FIFA Men’s World Ranking (released January 19, 2026).

Morocco ranked 8th in the world after FIFA latest rankings

This marks their all-time highest ranking, surpassing their previous best of 10th in April 1998, and returns them to the global top 10 for the first time in nearly 28 years.

The rise comes despite a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Senegal in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025), which Morocco hosted.

Their strong tournament performance came with five (5) wins, one (1) draw, and one (1) loss which earned them significant points (including a +20.23 adjustment in the rankings), propelling them up three (3) spots from 11th.

The FIFA rankings have been updated after AFCON

They now sit ahead of teams like Belgium (9th) and Germany (10th), with 1,736.57 points.

Latest FIFA world rankings

This achievement highlights Morocco’s consistent rise in international football, building on their 2022 World Cup semi-final run and ongoing development in youth academies and infrastructure.

Regarding the “identity backlash” mentioned in the headline, recent coverage of Morocco’s football successes (including this ranking update) doesn’t show widespread backlash tied directly to the new ranking itself.

Past discussions around Morocco’s national team have occasionally touched on cultural identity debates—such as the balance between Amazigh (Berber), Arab, and broader Moroccan elements in national representation, especially during high-profile events like the 2022 World Cup.

The current FIFA ranking news has been overwhelmingly positive in Moroccan and international media, focusing on pride in the Atlas Lions’ elite status and their role as Africa’s top-ranked side.

The Atlas Lions edged out Nigeria 4-2 on penalties after a tense, goalless 120 minutes to book their place in the AFCON 2025 final on home soil. They’ll face Senegal in Sunday’s showpiece at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat — a massive chance for the hosts to claim their first continental title since 1976.

The semi-final on January 14, 2026, was a classic defensive battle. Morocco dominated possession and created the better chances (hitting the bar through Nayef Aguerd and testing Stanley Nwabali), but Nigeria’s rock-solid backline — led by Calvin Bassey — kept them at bay.

Victor Osimhen was withdrawn late in extra time, and the Super Eagles managed just two shots all game — their lowest in AFCON history since 2010 stats began. It all came down to the shootout, where Yassine Bounou (Bono) was the absolute hero again — saving two Nigerian penalties to swing the momentum. Achraf Hakimi converted with authority, and substitute Youssef En-Nesyri stepped up to fire home the decisive spot-kick.

This marks Morocco’s first AFCON final since 2004 (when coach Walid Regragui was actually playing!). They’re on an incredible 26-match unbeaten run and have kept five clean sheets this tournament.

Nigeria, the leading scorers coming in, were blunted completely — a heartbreaking end for the Super Eagles, who’ll now face Egypt in the third-place playoff. The final on Sunday (January 18, 2026) pits the hosts against 2021 champions Senegal (who beat Egypt 1-0 in the other semi). With home advantage and momentum, many are tipping Morocco to lift the trophy — but Sadio Mané and co. won’t go down easy.

Real Madrid is reportedly eyeing Jürgen Klopp as a potential long-term solution following Álvaro Arbeloa’s shocking and immediate exit from the Copa del Rey in his debut match as head coach.

The drama unfolded rapidly: Just days after sacking Xabi Alonso (following a Supercopa de España final loss to Barcelona), Real Madrid appointed former player and Castilla boss Arbeloa as interim manager. His first game? A humiliating 3-2 defeat to second-division strugglers Albacete in the Copa del Rey round of 16 on January 14, 2026 — a classic giant-killing that has sent shockwaves through the Bernabéu.

Here are some intense moments from that chaotic night, capturing the disappointment on the pitch and in the dugout:

Arbeloa, a club legend as a player (winning multiple titles including Champions Leagues), defended his heavy rotation (resting stars like Mbappé, Bellingham, and Courtois due to injuries and fatigue), but the loss — sealed by a dramatic stoppage-time winner from Albacete’s Jefte Betancor — has intensified scrutiny.

Many see him as a short-term fix, with reports suggesting his “fate is sealed” and the club already planning for summer 2026. Jürgen Klopp, the former Liverpool mastermind who’s been out of club management since 2024 and currently serves as Red Bull’s global head of soccer.

Fresh reports (including from reliable journalist Florian Plettenberg) indicate Klopp is seriously considering a return to the dugout — but only for select dream projects, with Real Madrid high on that list if “everything fits” perfectly.

The German icon has long been fascinated by the club, and this chaos could be the perfect storm to lure him back. Check out these iconic shots of Klopp’s legendary energy and that famous grin — the kind that could ignite the Bernabéu:

Klopp has given mixed signals in recent interviews — downplaying immediate interest right after Alonso’s exit but not fully closing the door, especially for a club of Madrid’s stature. Other names like Zidane are floating around (with Mbappé reportedly favoring him), but Klopp stands out for his proven trophy haul, high-intensity style, and ability to manage superstars.Real Madrid’s season is still alive in La Liga (trailing leaders Barcelona) and the Champions League, but this early cup exit has cranked up the pressure. Could Klopp be the man to restore order and chase more glory?