Morocco can say thank you to Algeria. One week to the day before the start of the World Cup, the Atlas Lions will be able to boast of approaching the biggest competition with a truly historic status.
Indeed, the Moroccans moved from eighth to seventh place in the FIFA ranking of the best national selections. This, thanks to the victory of the Algerians against the Netherlands (0-1) this Wednesday evening during a preparation match for the next World Cup.
The Oranje, initially seventh, lost 6.78 points after this rather unexpected setback at the Stadion Feijenoord in Rotterdam, while the Fennecs, twenty-eighth, consolidated their lead over Egypt while reducing the gap on Australia.
Morocco best African nation in history?
After this update of the FIFA ranking, Morocco now officially occupies the highest rank ever achieved by an African selection in the 21st century, ahead of the Pharaohs (9th, 2010), Cameroon (11th, 2009) and even Côte d’Ivoire (12th, 2013).
The absolute record is still held today by Nigeria, fifth in April 1994. At that time, the Super Eagles led by Jay-Jay Okocha won the African Cup of Nations.
