Morocco end 2022 as Africa's top nation
- Published
Star players Achraf Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech were integral to Morocco's run to a maiden World Cup semi-final in Qatar
Morocco's historic run to the semi-finals of the World Cup means they will end the year as the highest-ranked footballing nation in Africa, according to world governing body Fifa.
The Atlas Lions' success has earned them a spectacular jump in the global rankings, moving up 11 places to 11th.
The North Africans topped their group in Qatar, beating Belgium and Canada in the process, before dispatching Spain and Portugal in the knockout phase to become the first African country to reach the last four of a World Cup.
Morocco's highest ever ranking was 10th in 1998 while they fell as low as 92nd in 2015.
They replace continental champions Senegal as Africa's top dogs after the Teranga Lions - who had been the continent's best-ranked side for over four years - were eliminated by England in the second round in Qatar.
Three other African countries have also risen by more than ten places in the official Fifa Men's Rankings since December 2021.
Gambia have jumped 24 places to 126th, Cameroon, who beat Brazil at the World Cup, have climbed 17 places to 33rd and Equatorial Guinea 16 steps to 198th.
Africa's Top 10 on December's Fifa Men's Rankings (global position in brackets):
Morocco (11)
Senegal (19)
Tunisia (30)
Cameroon (33)
Nigeria (35)
Egypt (39)
Algeria (40)
Mali (45)
Ivory Coast (47)
Burkina Faso (50)