Senegal’s Teranga Lions are basking in glory after claiming their second Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in dramatic fashion

The team defeated hosts Morocco 1-0 in the 2025 AFCON final on January 18, 2026, thanks to a stunning extra-time goal from Pape Gueye.

The match was highly tense and chaotic and marked by a late penalty controversy that led to Senegal briefly walking off the pitch in protest, a missed Panenka attempt by Morocco, and intense drama throughout.

On their return home, the champions received an ecstatic hero’s welcome in Dakar as tens of thousands of fans flooded the streets, clad in green, yellow, and red, waving flags, blaring vuvuzelas, and chanting as the team paraded the trophy atop an open-top bus.

The procession lasted over seven hours, winding through the capital to the presidential palace, where President Bassirou Diomaye Faye greeted them, praised their “historic” resilience and fighting spirit, and declared a national holiday to celebrate.

Sadio Mané and the squad lifted the trophy high amid roaring crowds, a true outpouring of national pride after overcoming such a nail-biting final.

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.