Morocco are back among the world's six highest-ranked national teams. Following their emphatic 5-1 victory over Niger in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, the Atlas Lions have climbed from seventh to sixth in the live FIFA rankings, taking advantage of Brazil's unexpected defeat against Japan.
The result represents another major milestone for Moroccan football and reinforces the national team's position among the world's elite.
Led by Achraf Hakimi, the Atlas Lions delivered an impressive performance at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca on Friday, November 13. Just one day later, Brazil's 3-2 defeat against Japan opened the door for Morocco to move ahead of the South American giants.
Morocco Overtake Brazil in the FIFA Rankings
According to the latest live ranking calculations, Morocco have accumulated 1,805.34 points, moving ahead of Brazil, who have dropped to seventh place with 1,800.36 points.
The difference between the two national teams now stands at 4.98 points, placing the Atlas Lions firmly in sixth position.
The rise reflects the importance of Morocco's recent results, particularly their convincing victory over Niger, combined with the outcome of Brazil's international fixture.
For the Moroccan national team, moving ahead of one of football's most historic nations is another significant achievement in a period of remarkable progress.
Another Historic Milestone for African Football
Morocco's rise to sixth place carries particular significance because the national team has already demonstrated its ability to compete at the highest level.
During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Atlas Lions reached fifth place in the live rankings following their 1-0 victory over Scotland on June 19.
That achievement equalled the highest FIFA ranking ever reached by an African national team.
Although Morocco subsequently finished the tournament in the quarter-finals, they retained sixth place at the end of their World Cup campaign.
Their latest rise therefore represents a return to a position they have already reached, underlining the consistency of their progress on the international stage.
Hakimi and the Atlas Lions Continue to Raise Expectations
The victory over Niger provided another reminder of Morocco's attacking potential.
Achraf Hakimi was particularly influential, scoring twice and providing an assist in a performance that attracted widespread international attention.
Yassir Zabiri, Youssef En-Nesyri and debutant Ayoub Oufkir also contributed to the five-goal display, highlighting the depth of attacking talent available to national-team coach Mohamed Ouahbi.
Beyond the individual performances, the result strengthened Morocco's position at the top of Group A in the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign.
The challenge now is to maintain that momentum and continue collecting valuable points in upcoming international fixtures.
Morocco Eye Another Step Forward
The Atlas Lions' return to sixth place is more than a numerical improvement. It reflects the growing reputation of Moroccan football and the national team's ability to challenge established international powers.
With the next FIFA ranking update approaching on November 18, Morocco will have another opportunity to consolidate their position.
Their upcoming encounter against Niger on November 17 in Rabat could prove important in determining whether they maintain their place among the world's top six.
Morocco have climbed above Brazil, returned to sixth in the world and strengthened their status among international football's elite. The Atlas Lions are continuing to make history, and their ambitions are far from over.