New FIFA world rankings see Morocco climb to 11th spot

FILE - Morocco's Sofiane Boufal celebrates after scoring the opening goal during an international friendly soccer match between Morocco and Chile at the Cornella-El Prat stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort, File)

Morocco has climbed from 22nd to 11th in the latest FIFA world ranking released on Thursday, after their heroics at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The Atlas Lions were eliminated by France 2-0 in the semifinals at the World Cup before losing 2-1 to Croatia in the third-place playoff, ending their journey with a memorable fourth place as the first ever African side to reach the World Cup semifinals.

Morocco is now the highest-ranked team in Africa, ahead of Senegal (19th), Tunisia (30th), Cameroon (33rd) and Nigeria (35th).

Brazil maintained their first position since February, followed by Argentina, France, Belgium and England.

The Netherlands, Croatia, Italy, Portugal and Spain complete the top 10.