The latest FIFA Men’s World Rankings released in January 2026 have confirmed a new hierarchy in African football, with Morocco, Senegal and Nigeria emerging as the continent’s leading forces following their impressive outings at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Morocco remain Africa’s highest-ranked country, climbing to eighth in the world despite losing the 2025 AFCON final on home soil.
Read Also: FIFA Rankings: Super Eagles rise 26 after AFCON 2025 heroics
Freshly crowned African champions Senegal have also reached unprecedented heights. The Teranga Lions jumped seven places to 12th globally, their highest position in FIFA Rankings history, after reclaiming the AFCON title and reaffirming their status as one of the world’s elite national teams.
Nigeria are the biggest mover among African countries. The Super Eagles moved up 12 places to 26th in the world following their bronze-medal finish at AFCON 2025, establishing themselves as the third-best team on the continent and the highest-ranked nation in West Africa.
According to FIFA, Nigeria gained 79.09 ranking points, the largest increase recorded by any country in the latest update, highlighting the impact of their strong tournament campaign.
Algeria and Egypt occupy fourth and fifth positions respectively on the African rankings, while Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Tunisia remain within the continent’s top 10.
Top African Teams in January 2026 FIFA Rankings
Morocco — 8th in the world
Senegal — 12th in the world
Nigeria — 26th in the world
Algeria — 28th in the world
Egypt — 31st in the world
Ivory Coast — 37th in the world
Cameroon — 45th in the world
Tunisia — 47th in the world
DR Congo — 48th in the world
Mali — 54th in the world
