Friday Jun 05, 2026. 13:00
South Africa will be appearing at their fourth FIFA World Cup, and for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010. Bafana Bafana, who will play against Mexico, Czechia and South Korea in Group A, will be looking to advance beyond the group stage for the first time.
Coached by Belgian Hugo Broos, South Africa secured their berth by finishing top of Group C in the African qualifiers, edging out heavyweights Nigeria by one point. This was despite being docked three points for fielding an ineligible player in one of their fixtures.
Captained by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, Bafana Bafana’s key players include rising stars Relebohile Mofokeng (attack) and Mbekezeli Mbokazi (defence), veteran midfielder Teboho Mokoena, striker Lyle Foster and winger Oswin Appollis.
Nickname: Bafana Bafana
Previous World Cup appearances: 3 (1998, 2022, 2010)
Best World Cup performance: Group stage (1998, 2002, 2010)
World Cup record: P9 W2 D4 L3 GF11 GA16
2026 Qualification record: P10 W5 D3 L2 GF15 GA9
2026 World Cup fixtures (Group A, times CAT)
– Mexico v South Africa, Thursday 11 June, 21:00
– Czechia v South Africa, Thursday 18 June, 18:00
– South Africa v South Korea, Thursday 25 June, 03:00
Head coach: Hugo Broos
The longest-serving coach in South Africa senior national team history (since May 2021), Hugo Broos has been in charge for over five years and has overseen an impressive turnaround in form, notably leading Bafana Bafana to a third-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and a first successful World Cup qualifying campaign since the early 2000s.
Captain: Ronwen Williams
One of the best goalkeepers on the African continent, Ronwen Williams is both the safe pair of hands and composed captain for South Africa. A veteran of multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and the 2020 Olympic Games, he will be looking forward to his first taste of World Cup action.
Key player: Relebohile Mofokeng
Though just 21 years of age and only recently into double figures for caps, Relebohile Mofokeng could be South Africa’s key game-breaker as a forward or attacking midfielder. He has enjoyed a sensational season for Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership and will back himself to carry that form into the 2026 World Cup.
Credit: https://goalmzansi.com/