Bafana Bafana at the World Cup: Key Facts, Records, and Historic Highlights

After sitting out the last three global tournaments, Bafana Bafana are back on football’s biggest stage for the first time since hosting the world in 2010. The long wait is over.

Fresh off the excitement of Mamelodi Sundowns dazzling neutrals at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ in the USA with their attacking flair, South Africa’s national team will aim to capture similar hearts at the FIFA World Cup 26™ in North America.

The Architect: Hugo Broos

At the helm since May 2021, Belgian coach Hugo Broos inherited a team that had narrowly missed out on AFCON 2021. His mission? Rebuild and rejuvenate. Broos introduced a new generation of talent, handing debuts to rising stars like Thalente Mbatha, Oswin Appollis, and Evidence Makgopa all pivotal in securing World Cup qualification.

This cultural reset paid dividends: a third-place finish at AFCON 2023 and a squad brimming with confidence ahead of the next continental showdown in Morocco this December and January. But the ultimate prize for Broos is clear, a historic first appearance in the World Cup knockout rounds.

World Cup 26 Draw & Fixtures

South Africa have been drawn in Group A with co-hosts Mexico, Korea Republic, and the winner of the European playoff (Denmark, North Macedonia, Czech Republic, or Ireland).

• 11 June: vs Mexico at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City – a repeat of the 2010 opener.
• 18 June: vs European playoff winner in Atlanta, Georgia.
• 24 June: vs Korea Republic in Monterrey, Mexico.

How They Qualified

South Africa booked their fourth World Cup ticket by topping CAF Group C with five wins, three draws, and two defeats. It was a rollercoaster campaign, battling giants Nigeria and surprise package Benin until the very last whistle.

Heading into the final matchday, Bafana sat second. A commanding 3-0 win over Rwanda at home kept hopes alive. Then came the twist: Nigeria’s 4-0 demolition of Benin flipped the script, propelling South Africa to the summit and into World Cup 26.

South Africa at the World Cup: By the Numbers

• Confederation: CAF
• Best Finish: Group Stage (1998, 2002, 2010)
• Appearances: 4 (1998, 2002, 2010, 2026)
• Hosts: 2010
• Overall Record: P9 W2 D4 L3 | F11 A16

Historic Highlights

• First World Cup (1998): Debut in France, first goal and point courtesy of Benni McCarthy in a 1-1 draw with Denmark.
• Best Campaign (2002): A 17th-place finish, highlighted by Siyabonga Nomvethe’s winner vs Slovenia and a thrilling 2-2 draw with Paraguay.
• Home Glory (2010): Siphiwe Tshabalala’s thunderbolt against Mexico lit up the opening match. South Africa bowed out in the group stage but stunned France 2-1 in Bloemfontein.

Records & Legends

• Top Scorers: Shaun Bartlett & Benni McCarthy (2 goals each)
• Most Appearances: Quinton Fortune, Benni McCarthy, Lucas Radebe, Aaron Mokoena (6 matches each)
• Biggest Win: 2-1 vs France (2010)