Bafana Bafana has climbed one position to number 56 in the FIFA World Rankings released on Thursday, a move consistent with their successful March FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where they secured six points.

Bafana Bafana defeated Lesotho 2-0 at Peter Mokaba Stadium on 25 March. This match has since generated controversy due to Teboho Mokoena’s ineligibility, as he had accumulated two prior yellow cards.

However, Bafana Bafana followed this with another strong performance, defeating Benin 2-1 at a neutral venue in Ivory Coast four days later.

Bafana Bafana now holds 13 points after six matches, five points ahead of second-placed Rwanda in Group C, who drew with Lesotho.

FIFA’s ranking calculations also factored in the two matches played by Bafana Bafana’s B team, where they achieved a 4-2 aggregate victory over Egypt in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers.

Previously ranked 57th, Bafana Bafana’s recent results have propelled them to 56th, maintaining their position within the top 10 African teams.

Morocco remains the top-ranked African nation, followed by Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Ivory Coast (who climbed five places), Nigeria, Tunisia, Cameroon, and Mali, completing the top 10.

Following 245 international matches played globally since December 2024, World Cup champions Argentina retain their number one ranking. Lionel Messi’s Argentina has also qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The next edition of the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking will be published on 10 July 2025.