Morocco Climbs to Record Sixth as Egypt Surges and Tunisia Crashes in FIFA's Post-World Cup Rankings
FIFA released its first ranking update since the 2026 World Cup on 20 July, and the numbers told two different stories from North Africa: one of a continent's best team getting better, and another of a proud footballing nation unraveling in real time.
Morocco's record high
Morocco moved up one place to sixth, their highest position in the FIFA rankings on record, according to Al Jazeera's reporting on the release. The Atlas Lions backed it up on the pitch. They finished second in Group C behind Brazil on goal difference, ahead of Scotland and Haiti, then beat the Netherlands on penalties in the Round of 32 and thrashed Canada 3-0 to reach the quarterfinals, where France ended their run 2-0, per The New Arab. It made Morocco the first African side to reach back-to-back World Cup quarterfinals, following their run to the semifinals in Qatar in 2022.
Egypt's best-ever run
Egypt climbed five places to 24th, their sharpest rise in the region alongside Morocco. The Pharaohs finished second in Group G behind Belgium, securing automatic qualification for the knockout stage for the first time in the country's history, The New Arab reported. They beat Australia in the Round of 32 before Argentina eliminated them with a stoppage-time winner in the 93rd minute, denying Egypt a run that had them, briefly, dreaming bigger.
Algeria holds, Tunisia collapses
Algeria slipped one place to 29th despite reaching the knockout stage. The Fennec Foxes beat Jordan, drew Austria, and lost to Argentina in the group stage before Switzerland eliminated them 2-0 in the Round of 32.
Tunisia fared far worse. The Eagles of Carthage fell 12 places to 57th, the steepest drop of any team at the tournament, after conceding 12 goals and scoring only twice in a group with the Netherlands, Japan, and Sweden. The Tunisian Football Federation sacked coach Sabri Lamouchi following a 5-1 defeat to Sweden, the first managerial dismissal during a FIFA World Cup since Tunisia parted ways with Henryk Kasperczak in 1998, per The New Arab's reporting.
Spain sit top of the new rankings after winning the tournament. For North Africa, the picture now splits sharply: Morocco building toward its co-hosting role at the 2030 World Cup from a position of strength, Egypt with genuine momentum, and Tunisia searching for a new coach and an explanation.
