FIFA rankings: Bafana Bafana drop despite win over Zambia

Bafana Bafana’s 3-1 win over Zambia has had no bearing on their FIFA rankings as they have dropped in the latest update.

South Africa extended their unbeaten run to 19 matches when they beat Zambia last Saturday with goals from Oswin Appollis, Mohau Nkota and Yaya Sithole seeing them win at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.

That was the only friendly match set up for Bafana Bafana this month but it has not reflected on their FIFA rankings as they have dropped two places.

Hugo Broos’ men are now placed in position 61 on the FIFA ranking, having dropped from 59, the second time they have experienced a downward spiral, despite maintaining a winning run.

FIFA ranking to impact Bafana’s World Cup draw

This is down to the fact that they beat Zambia, a team ranked lower, now on position 90 in the latest ranking after dropping three places, and also being a friendly and not a competitive match.

Bafana Bafana’s rankings will be crucial in determining which pot they will be placed in during the 2026 World Cup draw set to be conducted on December 5 in Washington, D.C.

South Africa will, however, been unfazed by that as their main focus now is on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations set to take place in Morocco from December 21 to January 18.

Bafana Bafana are in Group B alongside Egypt, Angola and Zimbabwe and will be confident of making it past the tricky pool as they look to repeat or surpass their 2023 performance, when they finished third.