Bafana unchanged in latest FIFA rankings

Cape Town - South Africa remained in lowly 74th position in the latest FIFA world rankings released on Wednesday.

Bafana Bafana also remained 15th in Africa.

The recently concluded 2018 Soccer World Cup - where France were crowned champions - has left its mark on the latest FIFA world rankings.

Stuart Baxter's Bafana side failed dismally to qualify for the 2018 sporting showpiece in Russia, with the latest rankings being the first since a new ranking formula took effect.

It's a far cry from the glory days when Bafana cracked the top 20 in the rankings (at 19th) after winning the 1996 African Cup of Nations.

The failure of the five African representatives at Russia 2018 to qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament has seen a change in the top 5 ranked teams on the continent.

After a disappointing World Cup campaign, Egypt suffered the biggest drop of any side (20 places) and moved out of the top 10 ranked teams in Africa - from fifth position - and were replaced by Ghana.

Tunisia retained top spot, followed by Senegal, DR Congo, Ghana and Morocco.

France (1st, up 6) provide the headline news, as they have reclaimed pole position for the first time in over 16 years, returning to a spot they last held in May 2002.

Just three points, however, separate Les Bleus from Russia 2018 semi-finalists Belgium (2nd, up 1), while World Cup runners-up Croatia (4th, up 16) have equalled their record ranking position, last reached in June 2013.

Other big movers include Uruguay (5th, up 9), England (6th, up 6), Sweden (13th, up 11), and World Cup hosts Russia who are the biggest climbers (49th, up 21).Among the biggest losers are previous leaders Germany (15th, down 14) who suffered group-stage elimination in Russia.

The next FIFA world rankings will be published on September 20, 2018.

Top 20 in the latest FIFA rankings:

1. France

2. Belgium

3. Brazil

4. Croatia

5. Uruguay

6. England

7. Portugal

8. Switzerland

9. Spain

9. Denmark

11. Argentina

12. Chile

13 Sweden

14. Colombia

15. Germany

16. Mexico

17. Netherlands

18. Poland

19. Wales

20. Peru

Also:

74. South Africa