South Africa Returns to the 2026 World Cup After 16 Years Absent: Bafana Bafana Qualify
South Africa is once again a top football team. On the last day of the African qualifiers, the team headed by Hugo Broos defeated Rwanda 3-0, securing their spot in the 2026 World Cup. This victory also helped them eliminate Benin and Nigeria from one of the continent’s most competitive groups.
In a qualifying zone when every outcome counted, the Bafana Bafana demonstrated their discipline and consistency by scoring 18 points out of a potential 30. Thousands of supporters in Johannesburg hailed the end of a protracted and agonizing wait as the triumph prompted scenes of elation.
Sixteen Years Since Their Last World Cup Dream
This qualification marks the end of a 16-year World Cup absence. South Africa last took part in the tournament in 2010, when they hosted it and brought emotion, color, and vuvuzelas to the world. Prior to it, they participated in Korea-Japan 2002 and France 1998, where they achieved their highest-ever finish of 17th.
A new generation of players, led by Teboho Mokoena, Lyle Foster, and Percy Tau, will now try to bring back the competitiveness and identity of a national side that is keen to retake its position at the top.
