By Angu Lesley
Cameroon have registered one of the most striking improvements in the latest FIFA/Coca‑Cola World Rankings, rising 12 places to 45th in the world — a leap that positions the Indomitable Lions seventh among African nations and highlights a broader reshuffle in continental football following the recent Africa Cup of Nations.
The January 2026 update, published shortly after Africa’s flagship tournament, saw several teams across the continent climb the global ladder — but few as dramatically as Cameroon. Their rise underscores how the ranking system rewards competitive fixtures against stronger sides, and reflects a period of renewed momentum for a nation with a proud footballing history.
At the summit of African football, Morocco continue to lead the way — breaking into the global top 10 at eighth place, their highest ever — while Senegal climbed to a record 12th on the back of their AFCON triumph. Both nations now sit among the world’s most respected sides, a testament to the growing strength of African football on the global stage.
Nigeria, with a similar 12‑place improvement, now sit 26th worldwide, while Algeria (28th) and Egypt (31st) complete the continent’s top five. Just ahead of Cameroon, Ivory Coast remain 37th, illustrating how tightly packed the middle tier of African teams has become.
Cameroon’s elevation in the rankings highlights how performances in key fixtures — particularly in high‑stakes continental competition — can rapidly reshape a nation’s global standing. While they did not reach the latter stages of AFCON 2025, the points earned against higher‑ranked teams proved enough to deliver a substantial jump in the standings.
Behind Cameroon, Tunisia (47th) and DR Congo (48th) remain competitive in the chasing pack, with Mali (54th) and South Africa (60th) close behind. Further down, Cape Verde (67th) continue their steady ascent, while Ghana (72nd) and others look to regain ground after a challenging period.
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