Rabat – Morocco has climbed to fifth place in the provisional FIFA Men’s World Rankings following Portugal’s 4-1 defeat to Denmark in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday, November 14.
The result allowed the Atlas Lions to overtake Portugal in the live standings, marking another milestone in the national team’s rise among the world’s leading football nations.
Morocco had initially moved from seventh to sixth place after securing a 5-1 victory over Niger in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers on Friday, November 13. The improvement also followed Brazil’s 3-2 defeat to Japan in an international friendly on Saturday.
Portugal’s subsequent loss to Denmark opened the door for Morocco to climb another position, placing the North African side fifth ahead of FIFA’s next official ranking update.
New chapter without Cristiano Ronaldo
The defeat also came during a significant moment for Portuguese football, as the encounter marked the national team’s first official appearance since Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement from international football on November 5.
The 41-year-old forward ended a 23-year international career that included 234 appearances and a record 146 goals for Portugal, making him the country’s all-time leading goalscorer.
Saturday’s match was also the first official outing under head coach Jorge Jesus following Ronaldo’s departure from international football.
Club Brugge winger Carlos Forbs wore a redesigned No. 7 shirt against Denmark, paying tribute to the number associated with Ronaldo throughout his international career.
However, Portugal’s first match in this new chapter ended in a heavy 4-1 defeat, with the result also affecting the European side’s position in the provisional FIFA rankings.
Morocco’s historic rise
Morocco’s latest ranking improvement adds to an exceptional period for the national team, which has established itself among the strongest sides in international football.
In September 2026, the Atlas Lions reached fifth place in the official FIFA Men’s World Rankings, matching the highest position ever achieved by an African national team. Nigeria previously reached the same position in April 1994.
Morocco’s progress has accelerated since their historic semi-final appearance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, followed by another impressive campaign at the 2026 edition, where they reached the quarter-finals.
The national team’s consistent performances have also contributed to its return to the global top five, with the latest results during the November international break providing another opportunity to strengthen its position.
Morocco will face Niger again on Tuesday, November 17, in their next 2027 AFCON qualifying fixture, giving the Atlas Lions another opportunity to consolidate their position.
FIFA is scheduled to publish its next official Men’s World Ranking on November 18, 2026. Until then, Morocco remain fifth in the provisional standings following Portugal’s defeat to Denmark.