16 July 2026 – The South African senior men’s and women’s national teams are reaping the rewards of their recent performances.
Following their performances in the 2026 World Cup where they reached the Last 32, Bafana Bafana moved up the FIFA ranking and climbed six places from 60th to 54th. This shift also placed coach Hugo Broos’ charges in the top 10 of the CAF rankings.
The South African senior men’s national team made history at the World Cup when the country qualified for the second round of the global tournament for the first time ever after beating South Korea 1-0 in Monterrey, Mexico, courtesy of a lone strike from Thapelo Maseko. While Bafana Bafana eventually exited the event after defeat to Canada, they had made their mark on the grandest stage of all.
The South African senior men’s national team will be back in action in September 2026 when the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers begin. Broos’ charges have been drawn in Group D with Guinea, Kenya, and Eritrea.
Sasol Banyana Banyana have moved up one place to 57th on the FIFA rankings following their 1-0 win against Japan in an international friendly match played away from home in June 2026. Coach Dr Desiree Ellis’ charges are second on the CAF rankings behind leaders Nigeria.
Dr Ellis will announce her final squad for the upcoming CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2026) on Friday, 17 July 2026. The tournament will be held in Morocco from 26 July-16 August 2026.
The team will depart for Morocco on Saturday, 18 July 2026 where they will be in Group B alongside Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Tanzania.
South African football is in mourning following the passing of Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams a few days ago.
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