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Morocco stands on the verge of making football history. Without even stepping onto the pitch, the Atlas Lions could climb to sixth place in the FIFA World Ranking, a position never before achieved by an African or Arab national team.
The scenario depends on the outcome of Saturday’s high-profile international friendly between Egypt and Brazil. A victory for Egypt over the five-time world champions would be enough to push Morocco into FIFA’s global top six, marking another milestone in the remarkable rise of Moroccan football.
The potential achievement comes just days before the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026, where Morocco will face Brazil, Scotland and Haiti in Group C.
How Morocco Could Reach Sixth Place in the FIFA Rankings
According to the latest FIFA ranking calculations, Brazil currently occupies sixth place, while Morocco sits immediately behind in seventh.
The gap separating the two nations is only 5.72 ranking points, meaning that a defeat for Brazil against Egypt would cause the Seleção to lose enough points for Morocco to move ahead without playing a match.
| Current Position | Nation | Situation |
|---|---|---|
| 6th | Brazil | Could lose points against Egypt |
| 7th | Morocco | Could move into sixth place |
Such a rise would represent the highest FIFA ranking ever reached by an African or Arab national team since the ranking system was introduced.
Why the Egypt vs Brazil Friendly Matters So Much
Football fans in Morocco will closely follow the friendly clash between Egypt and Brazil on Saturday night.
Although Morocco is not participating in the match, the result could have direct consequences for the Atlas Lions’ position in world football.
If Egypt defeats Brazil, Morocco would officially move ahead of the South American giants in the next FIFA ranking update.
However, if the match ends in a draw, Brazil would retain enough points to remain sixth, leaving Morocco in seventh place.
Egypt win ➜ Morocco rises to 6th place.
Draw ➜ Morocco remains 7th.
Brazil win ➜ Rankings remain unchanged.
A Historic Achievement for African Football
Morocco has already rewritten football history several times in recent years.
At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the Atlas Lions became the first African and Arab nation to reach the semi-finals of the tournament.
Since then, Morocco has continued to progress on and off the pitch, benefiting from improved infrastructure, world-class player development, and consistent performances against top-ranked opponents.
Reaching sixth place in the FIFA rankings would further confirm Morocco’s transformation into one of the elite football nations in the world.
| Historic Milestone | Year |
|---|---|
| First African team to reach World Cup semi-finals | 2022 |
| Highest FIFA Ranking in Moroccan history | 2025–2026 |
| Potential first African team in FIFA Top 6 | 2026 |
Morocco’s Next Test: Norway Before the World Cup
Regardless of what happens between Egypt and Brazil, Morocco will soon have an opportunity to influence its ranking directly.
The Atlas Lions are scheduled to face Norway in an international friendly on Sunday evening as part of their final preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The match will provide Mohamed Ouahbi’s squad with a valuable test against one of Europe’s most talented teams while also offering another chance to gain ranking points.
Brazil Awaits Morocco at the World Cup
The ranking battle adds extra intrigue because Morocco and Brazil are set to meet in the opening round of Group C at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The highly anticipated match will take place on June 13 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
A victory for Morocco would not only strengthen their chances of reaching the knockout stages but could also significantly impact future FIFA rankings.
| Group C Fixture | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Morocco vs Brazil | June 13, 2026 | MetLife Stadium |
| Morocco vs Scotland | June 19, 2026 | Boston |
| Morocco vs Haiti | June 24, 2026 | Atlanta |
Can Morocco Continue Its Rise?
For many football observers, Morocco’s current position is no coincidence. The country has invested heavily in player development, training facilities and long-term planning.
With stars such as Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Diaz, Yassine Bounou and Bilal El Khannouss leading a talented generation, Morocco enters the FIFA World Cup 2026 with legitimate ambitions.
Whether the Atlas Lions move into sixth place this weekend or not, their presence among the world’s football elite is already a reality. The next challenge is proving that status on the biggest stage of all.
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