South Africa beat Rwanda in their final qualifying game to top their group and lock in their World Cup 2026 spot. If their unfancied status allowed them to kick off the finals without much pressure on their shoulders, losing the curtain-raiser to Mexico turned up the heat.
Bafana Bafana went down 2-0 at Estadio Azteca, shooting themselves in the foot with an early mix-up and never truly recovering. The night ended with a pair of red cards and subsequent suspensions, which will be served in the second game against Czechia.
Manager Hugo Broos needs more from his team in a group that offered a realistic chance to progress in a 48-team tournament. Whether and when South Africa break their duck in front of goal and pick up a first point will tell us a lot about their prospects.
Their last game at a World Cup saw them beat powerhouse France but they were knocked out at the group stage, becoming the first hosts ever to befall this fate.
However, they did provide one of the greatest moments in World Cup history as Siphiwe Tshabalala rifled home the opening goal of the tournament and sent the 84,000 fans at Soccer City absolutely wild.
They were the first African nation to host a World Cup and there was hope that they would significantly kick on, but they have not qualified for a World Cup since.
The 2023 African Cup of Nations saw them match their best ever finish in a major tournament, finishing fourth, just as they had in 2007. They used this momentum to propel themselves to a spot at the World Cup in 2026.
The Mood
Bafana Bafana are back.
It has been a lengthy absence from the global stage for South Africa, who last played at the World Cup as the host nation in 2010, and last qualified in 2002, but Hugo Broos has masterminded their return to the big time following multiple missed opportunities, and a few embarrassments along the way.
Though the vuvuzelas of 2010 are a distant whisper today, the memory of Siphiwe Tshabalala’s rocket remains. Now South Africa are out to capture the hearts of a younger generation – and there’s no better time nor place to do it than in the 2026 tournament’s curtain-raiser at Estadio Azteca.
Squad
South Africa World Cup 2026 squad: The final selection
- GK: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- GK: Ricardo Goss (Siwelele)
- GK: Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)
- DF: Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- DF: Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- DF: Khulumani Ndamane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- DF: Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union)
- DF: Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs)
- DF: Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City)
- DF: Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates)
- DF: Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates)
- DF: Ime Okon (Hannover 96)
- DF: Samukele Kabini (Molde FK)
- DF: Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire)
- MF: Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- MF: Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- MF: Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates)
- MF: Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela)
- FW: Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates)
- FW: Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates)
- FW: Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates)
- FW: Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates)
- FW: Lyle Foster (Burnley)
- FW: Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- FW: Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- FW: Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol)
Fixtures
- June 18, 2026: Czechia vs South Africa , Mercedes-Benz Stadium , Atlanta, United States
- June 25, 2026: South Africa vs South Korea , Estadio BBVA , Guadalupe, Mexico
Recent Results
- June 11, 2026: Mexico 2-0 South Africa , Estadio Azteca , Mexico City, Mexico
- June 6, 2026: Jamaica 0-1 South Africa , Estadio Hidalgo, Pachuca, Mexico
- May 29, 2026: South Africa 0-0 Nicaragua , Orlando Stadium, Soweto, South Africa
- March 31, 2026: South Africa 1-2 Panama , Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa
- March 27, 2026: South Africa 1-1 Panama , FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
- January 04, 2026: South Africa 1-2 Cameroon , Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco
- January 01, 2026: Zimbabwe 2-3 South Africa , Tangier Grand Stadium, Tangier, Morocco
- December 29, 2025: Egypt 1-0 South Africa , Tangier Grand Stadium, Tangier, Morocco
- December 22, 2025: South Africa 2-1 Angola , Marrakech Stadium, Marrakech, Morocco
- December 16, 2025: South Africa 1-0 Ghana , Dobsonville Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
- November 15, 2025: South Africa 3–1 Zambia , Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha, South Africa
- October 14, 2025: South Africa 3–0 Rwanda , Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela, South Africa
- October 10, 2025: Zimbabwe 0–0 South Africa , Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, South Africa
- September 9, 2025: South Africa 1–1 Nigeria , Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa
- September 5, 2025: Lesotho 0–3 South Africa , Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa
- June 10, 2025: South Africa 2–0 Mozambique , Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane, South Africa
- June 6, 2025: South Africa 0–0 Tanzania , Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane, South Africa
- March 25, 2025: Benin 0–2 South Africa , Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
- March 21, 2025: South Africa 0–3 Lesotho , Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane, South Africa
Manager
Who is South Africa's manager?
Belgian Hugo Broos is undertaking his last ever role as a manager with South Africa at the 2026 World Cup.
He led them to fourth place in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and then spearheaded their qualification efforts for the World Cup.
Previously he has managed Cameroon as well as 11 club sides.
Star player
Who is South Africa's star player?
Ronwen Williams is the captain of South Africa and arguably their most important player.
Since 2021 he has had the armband and has been vital in their resurgence of late. In 2023 he saved four penalties against Cape Verde in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final to help South Africa to their best finish since 2000.
Curiously he was the first player ever to be penalised under FIFA’s new eight-second rule, conceding a corner in a Club World Cup match against Ulsan HD.
