FIFA have announced their latest world ranking, with Brazil overtaking Belgium at the top, while Bafana Bafana have dropped one spot.
Brazil have played a remarkable qualification campaign for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, finishing the campaign unbeaten with 14 wins and just draws.
In addition, the Selecao have lost just one of their last 25 games in all competitions, which resulted in them overtaking Belgium at the top of the world ranking.
Reigning world champions France, who beat Bafana bafana 5-0 earlier in the week, have stayed in third place ahead of Friday’s grout-stage draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Africa Cup of Nations winners Senegal have remained the highest ranked African nation in 20th position, followed by Morocco in 24th and Nigeria in 30th.
Egypt in 32nd, Tunisia in 35th, Cameroon in 37th and Algeria in 44th are the other four African teams in the world’s top 50 nations.
Mali in 52nd, Ivory Coast in 53rd, Burkina Faso in 56th, Ghana in 60th and Congo DR in 67th all still appear ahead of Hugo Broos’ South Africa in the ranking after Bafana dropped from 68th into 69th position.
The latest ranking update will be used by FIFA to determine the drawing pots for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar. Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana, Senegal and Cameroon are the five African representatives at this year’s showpiece.
