Bafana Bafana have edged up one place to 60th in the latest FIFA men’s world rankings released on Monday, despite their round-of-16 exit at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Hugo Broos’ side made a marginal gain following the continental showpiece, finishing just outside Africa’s top 10 in 11th position. The tournament, which concluded on Sunday, had a significant impact on rankings across the continent.
AFCON finalists Morocco enjoyed the biggest headline rise, climbing three places to a historic eighth despite losing the final to Senegal. It is the Atlas Lions’ highest-ever FIFA ranking, surpassing their previous best of 10th achieved in April 1998. The hosts were edged 1–0 after extra time in Rabat, having missed a dramatic chance to win the title in regulation time when Brahim Diaz failed to convert a late penalty following a prolonged delay caused by protests from Senegal players.
Champions Senegal, winners for the second time in three tournaments, surged seven places to 12th — their highest ranking to date, improving on their previous best of 17th set in 2024.
Elsewhere in Africa, the AFCON bronze medallists Nigeria were the biggest point-gainers, collecting 79.09 points to jump 12 places to 26th, a rise matched by Cameroon, who moved up to 45th. Egypt’s semi-final run saw them climb four spots to 31st, three places behind Algeria.
At the other end of the scale, Gabon suffered the heaviest points loss, dropping to 86th after a group-stage exit, while Equatorial Guinea recorded the steepest fall, sliding 10 places to 107th.
Historically, the highest FIFA ranking achieved by an African nation remains Nigeria’s fifth place in April 1994, while Egypt hold the Arab record at ninth, reached in July 2010.
At the top of the global standings, there was no change among the elite. Spain retained first place, followed by Argentina and France, with England, Brazil, Portugal and Netherlands completing an unchanged top seven.