Banyana Banyana have climbed nine spots in the FIFA rankings after reaching the last-16 stage of the recently concluded Women’s World Cup.
FIFA has officially announced the latest rankings, which sees Banyana move up to 45th (from 54th) in the world and second in Africa, one behind Nigeria who are ranked 32nd in the world.
Desiree Ellis’ charges wrote their name into the history books after becoming the first-ever senior national football team (men or women), to make it out of the group stages of the global showpiece.
Banyana reached the last 16 by beating Italy in their last group match before going down 2-0 to the Netherlands. Following those results many had hoped the team would at least rank in the top 30 in the world.
Changes for other African teams saw Nigeria, who also reached the round of 16 in the World Cup, jumped to 32nd in the world. Morocco moved up more spots with a 14-place jump to 52nd in the world and fourth in Africa.
Meanwhile, Sweden is at the summit of the rankings ahead of World Champions Spain.
Moving onto the field of play, Banyana will play their first matches after the Women’s World Cup against USA on 21 September in Cincinnati and 24 September in Chicago.
The highly anticipated international friendly, will also mark the retirement of football great Megan Rapinoe.
The United States Soccer Federation announced that the 38-year-old veteran will play her final match for the U.S. women’s national team against South Africa.
Rapinoe, known for her incredible contributions to the sport, will be honoured before the match in recognition of her illustrious career.
With an impressive international career spanning 203 appearances, Rapinoe leaves the game as one of the most decorated players in U.S. history. Her 63 goals and 73 assists for the USWNT place her among the top 10 players of all time in both categories.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand saw her reach the landmark of 200 games played for her country, making her the 14th American to achieve this feat.
An advocate for LGBTQ rights who has lent her voice to an array of social justice issues in the United States, Rapinoe was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honour, by President Joe Biden last year.
