AFCON 2025: Bafana static as Egypt slip, Angola and Zim hold firm in latest FIFA Rankings

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AFCON 2025: Bafana static as Egypt slip, Angola and Zim hold firm in latest FIFA Rankings
Image - SABC

The final FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking of 2025 has been released, setting the stage for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

South Africa’s national team, Bafana Bafana remain unchanged in 61st place, closing out the year outside the world’s top 60 after slipping two spots in November.

Bafana Bafana’s Group B AFCON 2025 opponents have also seen their positions confirmed. Egypt dropped one place to 38th, though they remain the highest-ranked side in the group. Angola held firm at 89th, while Zimbabwe stayed put at 129th, leaving the group dynamics largely stable heading into the continental showpiece.

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2025, 14 November – Al Ain, UAE – Mohamed Salah of Egypt national team, Nationalteam during the FIFA friendly international team match between Egypt Nationalteam and Uzbekistan National team at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Ak Ain, UAE. Egypt v Uzbekistan – FIFA friendly football International team match before World cup 2026 Copyright: xSebastianxFrejx

SPAIN STILL LEAD THE WAY

Globally, Spain continue to lead the rankings in first place, followed by Argentina and France. Morocco, fresh from winning the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025™, remain Africa’s top-ranked team in 11th position, just 0.54 points shy of breaking into the top 10 for the first time since 1998. The rest of the top 10 nations – England, Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and Croatia – all remain unchanged.

Sport Bilder des Tages MADRID, SPAIN – JULY 15:Lamine Yamal and Nicolas Williams during the celebration of the European
Sport Bilder des Tages MADRID, SPAIN – JULY 15:Lamine Yamal and Nicolas Williams during the celebration of the European Championship, EM, Europameisterschaft of the Spanish football team at Cibeles square. DONTxSENDxTOxIMAGO PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxJPN 259749442

JORDAN AND VIETNAM BIGGEST MOVERS

Elsewhere, Jordan climbed two places to 64th, Vietnam rose three spots to 107th, and Singapore also moved up three places to 148th. Kosovo, who remain 80th, stand out as the year’s surprise package after surging 19 places in 2025 thanks to seven wins and two draws. Suriname also impressed, holding steady at 123rd after rising 15 places since December 2024.

The December ranking reflects a year of 42 international fixtures, with Jordan and Morocco the most active teams, each playing six matches. Palestine registered the biggest points gain, while Malaysia endured the steepest decline, dropping 22.52 points and five places.

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

Author

Willis Sob is an experienced journalist who has been in the game since 2009, covering major assignments around the continent.
His hunger for African football is unmatched, always getting the best angles and facts to feed the fans and quench their thirst.

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