FIFA has updated its world rankings on the eve of FIFA World Cup 2026 which gets under way on Thursday, 11 June.
The tournament will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico and will for the first time in its history boast 48 countries, each vying to hoist the trophy come 19 July.
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Worst-ranked
South Africa, who have been drawn in Group A alongside co-hosts Mexico, South Korea and Czech Republic, remained 60th in the rankings.
That makes Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana side the worst-ranked in the group.
Mexico moved up from 15th to 14th place, while South Korea stayed 25th.
The Czech Republic moved up two places to 39th.
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Opening match
South Africa will take on Mexico in the opening match of the tournament at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City at 21:00 (SA time).
The clash will be broadcast live on both SABC and SuperSport.
Thereafter, Bafana Bafana will take on the Czech Republic (18 June) and South Korea (25 June).
The top two sides in each of the 12 groups along with the eight best third-placed finishers will progress to the Round of 32.
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Bafana Bafana’s Group A FIFA World Cup 2026 fixtures
- Thursday, 11 June: Mexico vs South Africa, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City – 21:00 (SA time)
- Thursday, 18 June: Czech Republic vs South Africa, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta – 18:00 (SA time)
- Thursday, 25 June: South Africa vs South Korea, Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe – 03:00 (SA time)
FIFA World Cup 2026 groups and rankings
Group A
- Mexico – 14
- South Korea – 25
- Czech Republic – 39
- South Africa – 60
Group B
- Switzerland – 19
- Canada – 31
- Qatar – 55
- Bosnia and Herzogovina – 64
Group C
- Brazil – 6
- Morocco – 7
- Scotland – 43
- Haiti – 82
Group D
- USA – 16
- Turkey – 22
- Australia – 27
- Paraguay – 40
Group E
- Germany – 10
- Ecuador – 24
- Ivory Coast – 33
- Curacao – 83
Group F
- Netherlands – 8
- Japan – 18
- Sweden – 38
- Tunisia – 46
Group G
- Belgium – 9
- Iran – 20
- Egypt – 29
- New Zealand – 85
Group H
- Spain – 2
- Uruguay – 17
- Saudi Arabia – 61
- Cape Verde – 68
Group I
- France – 3
- Senegal – 15
- Norway – 31
- Iraq – 56
Group J
- Argentina – 1
- Austria – 23
- Algeria – 28
- Jordan – 63
Group K
- Portugal – 5
- Colombia – 13
- Congo DR – 45
- Uzbekistan – 50
Group L
- England – 4
- Croatia – 11
- Panama – 34
- Ghana – 73
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