Bafana Bafana finish above Uruguay as South Africa mark historic World Cup return

South Africa have capped their first FIFA World Cup appearance in 16 years by securing 25th place – finishing above two-time champions Uruguay and several traditional European powers in the final tournament standings.

Bafana Bafana’s performance in the 2026 World Cup, their first since hosting the event in 2010, has been hailed as a major step forward for the national team after more than a decade in the wilderness on football’s biggest stage.

Surging past former world champions

South Africa ended the tournament joint-25th alongside Ecuador, but crucially ahead of Uruguay, who were ranked 37th despite their illustrious history and reputation as one of world football’s most decorated nations.

Uruguay, winners of the World Cup in 1930 and 1950 and regular contenders at global tournaments, finished 12 places below Hugo Broos’ side in the final competition table.

The South Africans also placed higher than Sweden, long considered one of Europe’s most consistent qualifiers for major finals. The Scandinavian nation concluded their campaign in 27th position.

Established European nations left behind

Bafana Bafana’s ranking saw them outperform a cluster of established European sides more accustomed to World Cup participation.

Austria, who have appeared at multiple World Cups across the decades, closed the tournament in 28th position – three places below South Africa.

Scotland, another traditional footballing nation with a rich heritage in the European game, were listed 36th, placing them well behind Broos’ team.

Other notable nations to finish below South Africa included Czechia in 39th place, Turkey in 35th and Korea Republic in 34th. All three have more recent World Cup pedigree, underscoring the significance of Bafana Bafana’s finish.

Signs of a South African revival

The 25th-place standing is being viewed as an important marker of progress for a side that had not featured at a World Cup finals since their home campaign in 2010.

That tournament, memorable for its vuvuzelas and South Africa’s dramatic opening goal by Siphiwe Tshabalala, ended with the hosts exiting at the group stage. The 2026 showing, by contrast, has prompted talk of a potential revival and a platform on which to build for future qualification cycles.

This World Cup campaign has come under Belgian coach Hugo Broos, who has been tasked with reshaping the national team and integrating a new generation of players capable of competing with the game’s traditional powers.

Tournament table, not FIFA rankings

The position of 25th is based solely on South Africa’s performance at the World Cup itself and not on FIFA’s official world rankings.

In the latest FIFA list, released after the tournament, Bafana Bafana sit 54th. However, the World Cup table suggests a side punching above their weight on the sport’s grandest stage, outperforming countries with higher FIFA rankings and deeper World Cup histories.

For South African football, the 2026 campaign has provided tangible evidence of progress and renewed optimism that Bafana Bafana can again become regulars at the World Cup – and challengers rather than mere participants.