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The latest FIFA rankings confirmed Morocco’s dominance of African football, with the Atlas Lions ending the year as Africa’s top team, despite dropping two places globally to 14th. Morocco remains the continent’s top team, with Angola also emerging as the story of the year, rising a record 32 places to 85th globally. Senegal, Africa’s second-best team, is ranked 17th in the world, while Egypt, Algeria and Nigeria round out the continent’s top five.
FIFA’s December rankings, the last for 2024, saw little change in Africa due to the lack of international matches. However, the rankings provide an opportunity to reflect on the fluctuations in the fortunes of African teams over the course of the year. Morocco maintains continental lead despite drop in ranking Morocco dropped from 12th to 14th in the world, a slight dip in a strong year for the Atlas Lions. Expectations for 2024 were high, especially after an impressive performance at the 2022 World Cup.
Morocco’s round of 16 exit to South Africa at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire, Total Energies, affected their momentum. Despite this, Morocco remains the African favourite in the world rankings. Morocco’s closest rival, the ‘Lions of Teranga’, are looking to continue chasing the top spot in 2025. Egypt completes the African top three, ranked 33rd globally, having moved up three places since February.
Angola makes impressive progress Angola put in one of the most impressive performances of 2024, jumping 32 places to 85th in the FIFA rankings. The return of the ‘Black Antelopes’, fuelled by strong results in international matches and the development of the domestic football system, made the Angolan national team the most improved in the world this year. Algeria moved up to 37th in the world, making steady progress up 6 places. However, Tunisia and defending African champions Côte d’Ivoire experienced a drop in the rankings. Tunisia dropped 12 places, to 52nd, while the ‘Elephants’ dropped 7 places to 46th. These teams are seeking to rebuild in preparation for the upcoming international challenges. Cameroon, one of Africa’s pre-eminent powers, retained their 49th position, narrowly securing their place in the global top 50. Mali (51st) and South Africa (57th) complete the continent’s top ten, while DR Congo (61st) and Burkina Faso (66th) remain on the edge of the elite group. As the countdown to the Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025, Total Energies begins, the rankings reflect the competitive balance in African football and the growing ambitions of teams across the continent.
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