
Morocco Holds 43rd Spot in Latest FIFA World Rankings, 5th in Africa
The Atlas Lions maintain their rank (43rd) in the latest world ranking published by FIFA.

The Atlas Lions maintain their rank (43rd) in the latest world ranking published by FIFA.

In a video message broadcast on the RMC Sport channel, Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo lavished praise on his former Juventus Turin teammate, Moroccan Medhi Benatia .

A few months after bidding farewell to the national team, former Atlas Lions captain Medhi Benatia justified his choice during an interview with a French media outlet. The former Moroccan international also recalled some key events in his career.

The inauguration, last Monday, of the National Football Center in Maâmora near Salé by King Mohammed VI was attended by several personalities from the political and sports world.

The national team coach, Vahid Halilhodzic, is in no hurry to choose the teams to face in friendly matches during the FIFA dates in March 2020. The boss of the Moroccan technical staff prefers to know the groups of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers before committing.

Morocco will face Algeria in a friendly match by the end of next year, in preparation for the official matches counting towards the qualification for the 2021 CAN Cameroon.

The latest player to have worn the captain’s armband during a well-negotiated match by the Atlas Lions, Romain Saïss has returned to this "fantastic" experience.

Patrice Baumelle was fired from his position as assistant coach of the national team. Vahid Halilhodzic replaced him with Landry Chauvin, who will hold the position of assistant coach alongside Mustapha Hadji.

The Moroccan national team is not yet ready to take on major challenges, due to its recent performances. Optimistic, Bosnian coach Vahid Halilhodzic urges supporters to be patient.

Coach Vahid Halilhodzic is particularly keen on discipline within the national team. The boss of the Moroccan technical staff returns to this behavior that must prevail within the national selection.

Barely arrived at the head of the Moroccan national team, disillusionment seemed to have gotten the better of coach Vahid Halilhodzic. While he was tempted to throw in the towel, the Bosnian finally changed his mind, reinvigorated by the victory obtained against Burundi.

Morocco’s convincing victory over Burundi did not allow a rise in the FIFA world football team rankings for November. The Atlas Lions lose a place and are now ranked 43rd.