AFCON 2025 Shakes Up January 2026 FIFA Rankings: Morocco and Senegal Rise, Bafana Bafana Climb One Place

The January 2026 FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking reflects one of the most dramatic reshuffles in recent years, driven almost entirely by the intensity and unpredictability of AFCON 2025.

The continental showpiece not only crowned a new champion but also reshaped global perceptions of African football, with several teams making historic climbs while others paid the price for early exits. As expected, the tournament’s standout performers surged forward, while several established nations slipped in the global order.

Morocco Break Into the Top 10 for the First Time Since 1998

Morocco’s remarkable run to the AFCON 2025 final proved transformative. Despite narrowly missing out on the title, the Atlas Lions climbed three places to 8th in the world, marking their first return to the global top ten since April 1998. More importantly, this ascent represents their highest-ever FIFA ranking, signalling Morocco’s evolution into one of the world’s most consistently impressive national teams.

Their rise is a testament not only to their AFCON performance but to years of steady development, tactical discipline, and investment in youth pathways. Morocco’s presence in the top ten sends a powerful message: African nations can challenge and displace established football powers when their structures and performances align.

Senegal’s AFCON Triumph Pushes Them to New Heights

Newly crowned champions Senegal were among the biggest winners of the ranking update. Their successful reclaiming of the AFCON title propelled them seven places upward to 12th, the highest global ranking in their history. This rise underscores their consistency on the continent and their growing influence on the global stage.

Above them, the world’s top three remained unchanged: Spain in first, Argentina in second, and France in third. These nations continue to set the pace, but Senegal’s leap shows how rapidly the landscape can shift, especially when major tournaments coincide with strong performances.

Major Movers and Sliders Across the Rankings

Morocco’s newfound position in the top ten came at a cost for others. Croatia, who had been hanging onto a top‑ten spot, slipped to 11th. Belgium and Germany also moved downward, dropping one place each as Africa’s resurgence recalibrated the rankings.

The tournament’s most dramatic climbers were Nigeria and Cameroon. Nigeria’s bronze‑medal finish helped them surge to 26th, while Cameroon’s impressive quarter-final run pushed them up to 45th. Both nations rose an astonishing 12 places, making them the biggest movers of the entire update.

Their progress reflects the value of AFCON as a ranking catalyst — a high‑stakes platform where strong performances can catapult teams into new competitive tiers.

Several other African nations made meaningful strides as well. Algeria climbed to 28th after gaining six places, Egypt moved up to 31st with a four‑place rise, Côte d’Ivoire jumped to 37th, and Congo DR surged to 48th after climbing eight places. Each of these movements reinforces the upward trend of African football in global rankings — a narrative that has strengthened with each recent AFCON edition.

Bafana Bafana Drop One Place Despite AFCON Last-16 Exit

While many African nations were on an upward trajectory, Bafana Bafana experienced a more sobering update. South Africa’s AFCON 2025 campaign ended in the Round of 16, and although they competed well in phases, their early elimination limited the ranking points available.

As a result, South Africa slipped one place to 60th in the latest FIFA rankings.

Though the shift appears minimal numerically, its implications are broader. In a cycle where Cameroon, Nigeria, Congo DR and several North African giants surged dramatically upward, South Africa found themselves overtaken by teams whose AFCON results offered far greater ranking rewards.

Bafana’s situation is also shaped by their recent history. In the months leading up to AFCON 2025, South Africa’s ranking stability was disrupted by administrative missteps and a lack of consistent competitive fixtures. Although the squad showed tactical promise and structure at times during the tournament, the Round of 16 exit, combined with Africa’s widespread ranking boom placed them at a comparative disadvantage.

Still, South Africa’s drop to 60th is far from catastrophic. It signals a need to convert performances into deeper tournament runs, strengthen preparation windows, and capitalise on upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Opportunities for recovery are abundant, but the competition around them has intensified considerably.

Shifts Beyond Africa

Outside Africa, the rankings experienced smaller but notable adjustments. Kosovo climbed to 79th, taking advantage of Gabon’s eight‑place fall to 86th. Meanwhile, Costa Rica, now 51st, and Uzbekistan, now 52nd, both dropped out of the top fifty after slipping two places each. Their declines demonstrate how global ranking volatility is not limited to Africa — though AFCON undoubtedly contributed the largest share of movement this cycle.

Confederation Dynamics: CAF Strengthens Its Presence

AFCON 2025 did more than transform individual teams; it reshaped the competitive balance among the world’s football confederations. CAF now boasts nine teams in the world’s top fifty, up from seven at the end of 2025. This surge highlights the rapid growth and increasing competitiveness of African national teams.

Meanwhile, both the AFC and Concacaf lost one representative each, with only four teams apiece remaining in the top fifty. UEFA continues to dominate global football with 26 teams inside the elite bracket, while CONMEBOL maintains seven representatives. The OFC remains unrepresented.

These shifts underline a rising trend: African teams are steadily narrowing the gap with traditional global powerhouses.