South Africa are going to the fifa world cup '26 after finishing top of their qualifying group by one point ahead of Nigeria, completing a fightback that looked unlikely when the campaign was derailed by a three-point deduction. The Bafana Bafana squad had to recover from the loss after fielding the suspended Teboho Mokoena in a 2-0 win over Lesotho that was later forfeited.
For captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, the qualification ends an 11-year wait for a World Cup return that began when Hugo Broos was appointed in 2021. Williams said it had been an amazing journey, with good and bad moments that forced the squad to draw strength from one another. South Africa had not reached the tournament in 11 years when Broos took over, and the new place on the global stage follows appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2023 and 2025.
The qualification matters now because the draw has already put South Africa on a difficult path in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Broos’ team has been placed with Mexico, Czechia and South Korea, with matches against Mexico in Mexico City on 11 June, Czechia in Atlanta on 18 June and South Korea in Monterrey on 24 June. The side that reached this point is built mainly from players in the domestic league, not a roster packed with European-based stars, and Broos has made that collective identity the backbone of the project.
That approach has shaped the team’s most important names. Relebohile Mofokeng and Oswin Appollis provide much of the threat up front, Teboho Mokoena remains the glue in midfield despite the mistake that cost the side points, Khuliso Mudau gives the team part of its spine and Williams stays central as both captain and goalkeeper. Broos said it would be a very good experience for the squad and that matches against stronger opponents will teach them a lot. He also said South Africa will fight as they have in recent years and pointed to the renewed connection with supporters, saying people love Bafana Bafana again and are coming back to the stadium.
The next test is no longer qualification. It is whether a team built on discipline, depth and belief can turn an unexpected return into something more than a welcome appearance. South Africa last navigated World Cup qualification in 2002, hosted the tournament in 2010 as the first African host nation and now arrives at fifa world cup '26 with a point to prove and little margin for error.
