South Africa at the FIFA World Cup 2026

FIFA ranking: 60
Group: A
Confederation: CAF
Coach: Hugo Broos
World Cup titles: 0
Best result: Group stage (1998, 2002, 2010)

History

South Africa (Bafana Bafana) made their World Cup debut in 1998, having been readmitted to international football after the end of apartheid. They appeared at three consecutive tournaments: 1998, 2002, and 2010, when they hosted the event. As hosts in 2010 they made history by becoming the first host nation to exit in the group stage, despite defeating France 2-1 in their final group game. Their 2026 appearance marks a return after a 16-year absence. South Africa has never won the World Cup.

Qualification

South Africa qualified for the 2026 World Cup by topping CAF Group C, which included Nigeria, Benin, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, and Lesotho. They secured their spot in October 2025 with a 3-0 victory over Rwanda on the final matchday, finishing on 18 points despite having had three points deducted for fielding an ineligible player. They edged out Nigeria to claim the automatic qualification place reserved for the group winner.

Preparation

Bafana Bafana entered their pre-tournament camp on 25 May 2026, the date the FIFA Club Protection Programme came into effect. Coach Hugo Broos announced his preliminary squad on 21 May 2026 and unveiled the final 26-player squad on 27 May at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria, in the presence of President Cyril Ramaphosa, Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie and SAFA President Danny Jordaan. In their send-off friendly at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on 29 May, South Africa were held to a 0-0 draw by Nicaragua, with Broos resting his Mamelodi Sundowns players after their CAF Champions League final triumph. The squad's departure for Mexico was then disrupted by a North American visa debacle: the planned Sunday flight was delayed and rescheduled to Monday 1 June after all players received their visas, with four backroom staff still awaiting documentation. South Africa open their World Cup campaign against Mexico on 11 June at the Estadio Azteca.

Latest news

Visa debacle delays Bafana Bafana's departure for the World Cup to Monday

Sun 31 May · general

Bafana Bafana's Sunday departure for Mexico was scuppered by North American visa delays. By Sunday evening Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie confirmed all players had their visas, with four backroom staff (assistant coach, team doctor, head of security and analyst) awaiting documents. McKenzie called it embarrassing, saying they were made to look like fools. The flight moved to Monday 1 June.

espn.com · 2026-06-02
supersport.com · 2026-06-02

Bafana Bafana held to goalless draw by Nicaragua in World Cup send-off friendly

Fri 29 May · matches

South Africa drew 0-0 with Nicaragua in their World Cup send-off friendly at Orlando Stadium in Soweto. Coach Hugo Broos rested his Mamelodi Sundowns players, who had only returned home on 26 May after winning the CAF Champions League final. Bafana dominated possession but failed to break down a defensive Nicaragua; Broos said he was happy with the performance despite the result.

safa.net · 2026-06-02
sabcnews.com · 2026-06-02

Squad

Player	Position	Club
Ronwen Williams	GK	Mamelodi Sundowns
Ricardo Goss	GK	Siwelele
Sipho Chaine	GK	Orlando Pirates
Aubrey Modiba	DF	Mamelodi Sundowns
Khuliso Mudau	DF	Mamelodi Sundowns
Nkosinathi Sibisi	DF	Orlando Pirates
Mbekezeli Mbokazi	DF	Chicago Fire
Ime Okon	DF	Hannover 96
Samukele Kabini	DF	Molde
Khulumani Ndamane	DF	Mamelodi Sundowns
Thabang Matuludi	DF	Polokwane City
Bradley Cross	DF	Kaizer Chiefs
Olwethu Makhanya	DF	Philadelphia Union
Themba Zwane	MF	Mamelodi Sundowns
Teboho Mokoena	MF	Mamelodi Sundowns
Sphephelo Sithole	MF	Tondela
Thalente Mbatha	MF	Orlando Pirates
Jayden Adams	MF	Mamelodi Sundowns
Lyle Foster	FW	Burnley
Evidence Makgopa	FW	Orlando Pirates
Oswin Appollis	FW	Orlando Pirates
Iqraam Rayners	FW	Mamelodi Sundowns
Relebohile Mofokeng	FW	Orlando Pirates
Thapelo Maseko	FW	AEL Limassol
Tshepang Moremi	FW	Orlando Pirates
Kamogelo Sebelebele	DF	Orlando Pirates