Bafana Bafana’s historic FIFA World Cup campaign has been rewarded with a significant rise in the latest FIFA rankings.
Following their memorable run at the 2026 World Cup, where they reached the Last 32 for the first time in the country’s history, Hugo Broos’ charges have climbed six places from 60th to 54th in the world.
The improvement also sees South Africa move into the top 10 of the CAF rankings, highlighting the progress made by the national team on the international stage.
Bafana made history in Mexico after securing qualification for the knockout stages of the global showpiece for the first time ever.
The milestone was achieved following a crucial 1-0 victory over South Korea in Monterrey, with Thapelo Maseko scoring the decisive goal to send South Africa into the next round.
Although their World Cup journey came to an end after a defeat to Canada in the knockout phase, Bafana left a lasting impression by competing among the world’s best and achieving a feat no previous South African men’s team had managed.
The ranking rise is another reward for the steady progress under Broos, who guided the team to a bronze medal at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations before their historic World Cup campaign.
Bafana will now turn their attention to the next challenge, with the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers set to begin in September.
South Africa have been drawn in Group D alongside Guinea, Kenya and Eritrea as they begin their qualification campaign for the continental tournament.
Meanwhile, Banyana Banyana have also enjoyed positive movement on the FIFA rankings ahead of their WAFCON 2026 campaign.
The reigning African champions have moved up one place to 57th in the world following their 1-0 victory over Japan in an international friendly match played away from home in June.
Desiree Ellis’ side remain among the leading teams on the continent and are second on the CAF rankings behind Nigeria.
Banyana will now shift their focus to the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where they will defend the title they won in 2022.
Ellis is set to announce her final squad for the tournament on Friday, 17 July, before the team departs for Morocco the following day.
South Africa have been drawn in Group B alongside Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Tanzania, with the tournament scheduled to take place from 26 July to 16 August.
The latest FIFA rankings underline the continued rise of South African football, with both Bafana and Banyana making their mark on the global stage.
