South Africa returns to the World Cup for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010, marking a significant milestone for a program that has spent over a decade rebuilding through African qualifying rounds. This appearance adds to a national team history that highlights success in AFCON during the late 1990s, including winning the tournament in 1996 and finishing as runners-up in 1998.

How they Qualified: South Africa qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by finishing atop Group C in CAF qualifying, securing automatic qualification with 18 points, surpassing traditional powerhouse Nigeria. Their reward? An opener against co-hosts Mexico on June 11, a rematch of the 2010 World Cup hosted by South Africa.

World Cup Group Stage Schedule:

• June 11: South Africa vs. Mexico – Mexico City Stadium (3 p.m. ET)
• June 18: South Africa vs. UEFA Playoff D — Atlanta Stadium (12 p.m. ET)
• June 24: South Africa vs. South Korea — Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe, Mexico (9 p.m. ET)

Previous World Cup Appearances:

• 1998, 2002, 2010

Best Finish in the World Cup:

• Did not progress beyond the group stage in any of its three appearances.

Key Players:
Siyabonga Ngezana, a standout for the national team, transitioned to FCSB in Romania in 2023, where his consistent performances in title-contending defense have raised his profile after more than 100 appearances for Kaizer Chiefs. Lyle Foster brings vital attacking experience from England and Belgium, noted for his time in the Premier League with Burnley and earlier development at Orlando Pirates. Both players have been regulars in South Africa’s national setup during the latest qualifying campaigns.

Manager:
Hugo Broos has been at the helm of this team after leading Cameroon to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations title and has managed clubs across Belgium, Algeria, and Turkey. Broos led South Africa through the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, clinching the nation’s return to the global stage.

All-Time Leading Scorer:
Benni McCarthy, with 31 goals, previously played for several clubs including Seven Stars, Cape Town Spurs, Ajax, and more.

All-Time Caps Leaders:

• Aaron Mokoena: 107 caps

Team Nickname:
Bafana Bafana

About South Africa:

• Population: Approximately 64.7 million
• Capital: Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative), Bloemfontein (judicial)