South Korea drops three spots to 28th in FIFA rankings after loss to South Africa

South Korea's national football team has fallen to 28th in the FIFA world rankings following a defeat to South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

According to FIFA rankings released Thursday, South Korea lost 33.03 points after its 0-1 Group A defeat, leaving the team with 1,558.72 points. The result dropped South Korea three places, from 25th to 28th.

South Korea now ranks fourth among Asian Football Confederation member nations, behind Japan (16th), Iran (21st) and Australia (25th).

Mexico, which secured a round-of-32 berth as Group A winners, jumped four places from 14th to 10th, breaking into the top 10. South Africa, which beat South Korea, climbed six spots to 54th.

South Korea, coached by Hong Myung-bo, finished third in Group A with one win and two losses — three points and a goal difference of minus one — after a poor showing against South Africa, a team widely considered the group's weakest side.

Edged out by Group A winners Mexico and runners-up South Africa, South Korea missed automatic qualification for the round of 32 but can still advance depending on the results of other third-place finishers.

South Korea must finish among the top eight of the 12 third-place teams to advance to the knockout round. With Groups A through C having completed their schedules, South Korea currently sits fourth among third-place finishers. Whether the team advances will not be known until all group-stage matches conclude June 28.