South Africa are ready to return to the FIFA World Cup after missing it for three consecutive editions. Bafana Bafana are eyeing to create new history for the country in the FIFA World Cup 2026, as the USA, Canada, and Mexico are ready to welcome them.
South Africa were in a challenging group in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualification (CAF), as their Group C challenges were against Benin, Rwanda, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho. The group experienced a tough battle, as Bafana Bafana finished only one point ahead of the joint second-placed two teams, Nigeria and Benin (both ended with 17 points).
South Africa finished with 18 points in 10 games with five wins, three draws, and two losses. Their qualification story was messed up due to their home match against Lesotho. Although South Africa won that game by 2-0, it was later awarded to Lesotho with a 3-0 scoreline after the FIFA Disciplinary Committee found that Bafana Bafana fielded an ineligible player (Teboho Mokoena) in that game.
South Africa's performance in the FIFA WC 2026 Qualification CAF Group C
South Africa 2 – 1 Benin
Rwanda 2 – 0 South Africa
Nigeria 1 – 1 South Africa
South Africa 3 – 1 Zimbabwe
South Africa 0 – 3 Lesotho (awarded)*
Benin 0 – 2 South Africa
Lesotho 0 – 3 South Africa
South Africa 1 – 1 Nigeria
Zimbabwe 0 – 0 South Africa
South Africa 3 – 0 Rwanda
*Although South Africa originally defeated Lesotho by 2 – 0 at home, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee awarded the match as a 3 – 0 win to Lesotho as South Africa fielded the ineligible player Teboho Mokoena.
South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification Final Status
Matches played: 10
Won: 5
Drawn: 3
Lost: 2
Goals Scored: 15
Goals Conceded: 9
Leading Goal Scorer: Jayden Adams, Oswin Appollis, Lyle Foster, Thapelo Morena – 2 goals
South Africa FIFA World Cup records
When South Africa last participated in the FIFA World Cup (2010), they were the hosts, as the FIFA World Cup 2026 is going to be their third World Cup as successfully qualified (1998, 2002, and 2026), excluding hosting the 2010 edition. Bafana Bafana are still waiting to play their first-ever knockout stage match in the FIFA World Cup, as they have never crossed the group stage in their tournament history.
South Africa group stage schedule in the FIFA World Cup 2026
South Africa will start the FIFA World Cup 2026 journey with the opening game of the tournament, against the hosts Mexico on 11th June. They are in Group A along with the co-host Mexico, while the other two teams are Czech Republic and South Korea.
June 11: Mexico vs South Africa at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City (13:00 local time)
June 18: Czech Republic vs South Africa at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta (12:00 local time)
June 24: South Africa vs South Korea at Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe (19:00 local time)
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