Overview:
Broos has changed the Bafana Bafana game, rejuvenated the side and handed debuts to promising young players such as Thalente Mbatha, Oswin Appollis and Evidence Makgopa, all of whom played a major role in their World Cup qualification.
For the first time since 2010 when they became the first African nation to host the global event, South Africa returns to the World Cup.
Like it was on home soil, they face Mexico among others in the group that also has Czech Republic and Asian giants South Korea.
They have never played beyond the group stages and the target will be to do so in the expanded World Cup.
Head coach- Hugo Broos
The Belgian has been at the helm of South Africa since May 2021 and is arguably the longest serving in the position
Broos has changed the Bafana Bafana game, rejuvenated the side and handed debuts to promising young players such as Thalente Mbatha, Oswin Appollis and Evidence Makgopa, all of whom played a major role in their World Cup qualification.
Broos has made South Africa one of the most respected footballing nations on the continent again having led them to a third-place finish at the 2023 AFCON.
How they qualified
South Africa qualified for their fourth global showpiece by finishing first in Group C of CAF qualifying with a record of five wins, three draws and two defeats from a tough group that had Nigeria and Benin.
Bafana Bafana were second in the group heading into their finale at home against Rwanda and took care of business with a 3-0 victory.
All eyes were on third-place Nigeria’s home fixture with group leaders Benin, and a 4-0 win for the Super Eagles propelled South Africa into the top spot and a place in the World Cup.
History at World Cup
- Best World Cup: Group stage (1998, 2002, 2010)
- Last World Cup: 2010 (Group stage)
- First World Cup: 1998 (Group stage)
- World Cup appearances: 4 (1998, 2002, 2010, 2026)
- Current run of successive qualifications: One
- World Cup hosts: 2010 (Group stage)
- Overall World Cup record: P9 W2 D4 L3 F11 A16
South Africa’s top scorers at the World Cup
Shaun Bartlett and Benni McCarthy serve as the join-top scorers in South Africa’s World Cup history with two goals apiece.
Bartlett tallied both of his goals in the dramatic 2-2 draw with Saudi Arabia at France 1998, while McCarthy’s two goals were spread across his appearances at France 1998 and Korea/Japan 2002, making him the only South African player to have scored at two different World Cups.
McCarthy scored in his side’s 1-1 draw against Denmark in 1998, followed by his team’s first goal in a 3-2 loss to Spain in 2002.
Bafana Bafana Group A fixtures at the 2026 World Cup
- June 11: vs Mexico 10pm
- June 19: vs Cech Republic 7pm
- June 25: vs South Korea 4am
South Africa’s squad at the 2026 World Cup
Goalkeepers
Ronwen Williams, Ricardo Goss, Sipho Chaine
Defenders
Khuliso Mudau, Olwethu Makhanya, Bradley Cross, Aubrey Modiba, Thabang Matuludi, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Khulumani Ndamane, Ime Okon, Samukele Kabini, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Kamogelo Sebelebele
Midfielders
Teboho Mokoena, Jayden Adams, Thalente Mbatha, Sphephelo Sithole
Forwards
Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa, Lyle Foster, Iqraam Rayners, Relebohile Mofokeng, Themba Zwane, Thapelo Maseko
