Thanks to their significant participation in the World Cup, the Bafana Bafana team has achieved a notable rise in the latest FIFA rankings. Following their memorable performance at the 2026 tournament, where they reached the Round of 32 for the first time in the country's history, the squad managed by Hugo Broos climbed six positions, securing 54th place in the world list and also entering the top ten in Africa.
Bafana achieved a historic milestone in Mexico by qualifying for the global tournament playoffs for the first time. This success was secured by a decisive 1-0 victory over South Korea in Monterrey, with the winning goal scored by Tapelo Maseko, allowing South Africa to advance. Although their journey in the World Cup ended with a loss to Canada in the playoffs, Bafana left an indelible impression by competing against the world's best teams and achieving a feat unattainable by previous South African men's national teams.
This ranking increase is another recognition of the consistent progress observed under Broos's leadership. Before the historic World Cup campaign, he led the team to a bronze medal at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Now, Bafana will focus on the next challenge—qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup, which begins in September. South Africa has been placed in Group D alongside Guinea, Kenya, and Eritrea for the start of this qualification campaign.
Meanwhile, the women's team Banyana Banyana has also shown positive momentum in the FIFA rankings ahead of the WAFCON 2026 campaign. The current African champions moved up one spot, reaching 57th in the world after a 1-0 victory over Japan in a friendly match played away in June. The team, led by Desiré Ellis, remains one of the continent's leaders, occupying second place in the CAF ranking behind Nigeria.
Banyana will now shift its focus to the Women's Africa Cup in Morocco, where they will defend the title won in 2022. Ellis plans to announce the final squad on Friday, July 17, after which the team will travel to Morocco the following day. South Africa is placed in Group B alongside Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, and Tanzania, and the tournament is scheduled from July 26 to August 16. The latest FIFA rankings underscore the continuous rise of South African football, as both Bafana and Banyana leave their mark on the world stage.
For a long time, South Africa's relationship with the World Cup was defined by unrealized potential. Despite moments of hope and having talented squads, exiting in the group stage remained a constant problem.
However, the 2026 Bafana Bafana generation achieved something unprecedented—they led South Africa beyond the group stage of the World Cup for the first time. This success lifted the burden of years of disappointment.
Previously, the 1998 team participated in the tournament after recovering in international football but was eliminated in the group. Four years later, in 2002, the team was very close to success, defeating Slovenia 3-2, but the goal difference led to elimination despite having an equal number of points as Paraguay.
Then came 2010, when the home championship generated huge expectations, but even the advantage of playing on home soil did not allow the team to advance further, making Bafana the first host nation to exit in the group stage. These memories remained part of the national team's history, and each new generation carried the responsibility of changing this script.
The 2026 team managed to change this history. Under the guidance of coach Hugo Broos, Bafana formed its identity based on discipline, organization, and belief. They stopped merely competing with the world's best and started challenging them.
The breakthrough occurred in Monterrey when Tapelo Maseko's decisive goal against South Korea secured a historic spot in the playoffs. However, the achievement was driven not only by this moment but also by the development of a squad combining experience with fearless young talent.
Relebogile Mofokeng stepped onto the main stage without fear of the event. Mbekezeli Mbokazi demonstrated maturity beyond his years in defense, while players like Tapelo Maseko and Osim Apollos showed South Africa's attacking potential. Alongside them were experienced figures, including captain Ronwen Williams, Tebogo Mokoe, and Aubrey Modibu, who laid the foundation for the flourishing of the young generation.
The main difference between this team and previous ones is that they arrived at the World Cup not just hoping to survive, but believing in their place among the elite. Although the subsequent defeat to Canada in the playoffs brought disappointment, it did not erase what had already been achieved.
History has been made. Now the task is to ensure this moment becomes a starting point, not a one-off achievement. The next step is consistent performance beyond the group stage, challenging top African teams, and closing the gap with footballing elites. Nevertheless, the 2026 generation deserves recognition for carrying the memory of past generations, overcoming the weight of expectations, and finally breaking through the barrier that stood for so long.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi's agent revealed that the Bafana national team defender is attracting interest from major European football clubs following an impressive performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, although no official offers have been received yet.
According to agent Basie Michaels, Mbekezeli Mbokazi has attracted the attention of some of the most significant clubs in world football. Michaels noted that he never imagined having conversations with the people he is currently speaking with.
Currently, Mbokazi plays for Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States. His base annual salary is $593,000 (9.91 million rands), and his guaranteed compensation reaches $655,620 (10.96 million rands).
After a brilliant campaign with the Bafana national team, Mbokazi's value has significantly increased. Michaels confirmed that inquiries are coming in, but he stressed that he has not received any official written offers. He reported receiving numerous requests from very strong and prestigious teams.
Michaels believes that Mbokazi is ready for a career leap. Although MLS is already a respected league, a move to one of the leading European leagues would mark a new stage in his career. The agent insists that the player deserves to play in the Champions League, and for him personally, the most important thing is a transfer to one of the top five European championships, provided the price matches what Chicago Fire paid for his acquisition.
The historic participation of the Bafana Bafana team in the Football World Cup earned universal recognition and a warm reception from South African fans, despite criticism that continues to dispute one of the greatest achievements in the history of South African football.
The author, who attended the welcome party at O.R. Tambo International Airport early on Thursday morning, was once again struck by the pride and excitement shared by South African football fans as they greeted Bafana Bafana after their significant performance at the World Cup.
Fans gathered in the international arrivals hall to celebrate the team's historic campaign at the World Cup. Supporters began gathering long before the team's scheduled arrival at 5:30 AM, eager to see the history-making squad.
When the team finally appeared around 7:30 AM, the fans gave them a truly heroic reception.
Bafana became the first South African team to reach the World Cup playoffs before being eliminated by the hosts of Canada in added time of the Round of 32 match on June 28th.
A similar scene was observed in 2023 when Bafana returned with a bronze medal at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), finishing third. This marked the first time in 23 years that the team had reached the podium at Afcon.
There is no doubt that South African football has shown growth since Hugo Broos took charge in 2021. Although, given his age, the 74-year-old specialist will likely retire soon, the foundation he laid is invaluable.
However, reading comments under one of the stories about this heroic reception, the author encountered usual, cliché, and predictable responses. In response to an IOL News post on Facebook about Bafana's arrival, Maryann Walters wrote: 'Why a heroic reception, they won one game, not the World Cup.' Roelof van der Merwe stated: 'At least give them a participation certificate.' Meanwhile, Brent Webber noted: 'Top-32 is a historic event that will not be repeated because they are not a Rainbow Nation team with a quota system. wait, I forgot they had a historic event—3 red cards in the very first opening game of the World Cup.'
The rhetoric of some circles on social media remains the same. The author wishes that critics would come to the airport to voice their objections in person. However, their voices would undoubtedly be drowned out by singing, shouting, and vuvuzela sounds, and no one would notice them.
Nevertheless, it is people like these who stand out, furiously typing on keyboards to share their opinion about Bafana.
Previously, the author wrote a column titled 'Springboks and Proteas Fans Unite—Why Bafana Needs Your Support the Most.' There, he argued: 'Even if Bafana makes a huge shock at the World Cup and passes the group stage, it is unlikely they will receive the same level of support at home as the Springboks or Proteas.'
This material was mainly addressed to typical rugby or cricket fans who too quickly dismiss Bafana's achievements. And even if they made this shock, for the minority who will never truly feel proud of this team, it was not enough.
Football is the most popular sport in South Africa, as well as the most widely played and watched globally. By number of participants, it may be the most competitive sport on the planet. Considering all these factors, what Bafana achieved at the World Cup was both historic and worthy of celebration. The progress they made under Broos is undeniable, but some people simply refuse to acknowledge it.
