South Africa World Cup 2026. South Africa is among the 10 African teams in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The team is playing in group A. Among the teams in the South Africa World Cup group 2026 are South Korea, Czechia and Mexico.
On SportPesa, we bring you all the latest from the South Africa World Cup 2026. The updates cut across fixtures, results, squad, coaches and standings & table. Stay tuned here and get the World Cup news as they unfold.
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South Africa team profile overview
| Category | Details |
| Team | South Africa National Football Team |
| Nickname | Bafana Bafana |
| Association | South African Football Association (SAFA) |
| Confederation | Confederation of African Football (Africa) |
| Sub-confederation | Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Southern Africa) |
| Head Coach | Hugo Broos |
| Captain | Ronwen Williams |
| Most Caps | Aaron Mokoena (107 appearances) |
| Top Scorer | Benni McCarthy (31 goals) |
| Home Stadium | Various stadiums |
| FIFA Code | RSA |
| Current FIFA Ranking | 60th (11 June 2026) |
| Highest FIFA Ranking | 16th (August 1996) |
| Lowest FIFA Ranking | 124th (December 1992) |
| First International Match | Argentina 0–1 South Africa (9 July 1906, Buenos Aires, Argentina) |
| Biggest Win | Australia 0–8 South Africa (17 September 1955, Adelaide, Australia) |
| Biggest Defeat | South Africa 1–9 England (17 July 1920, Cape Town, South Africa) |
| FIFA World Cup Appearances | 4 |
| First FIFA World Cup | 1998 |
| Best FIFA World Cup Result | Group Stage (1998, 2002, 2010) |
| Africa Cup of Nations Appearances | 12 |
| First AFCON Appearance | 1996 |
| Best AFCON Result | Champions (1996) |
| CONCACAF Gold Cup Appearances | 1 |
| Best CONCACAF Gold Cup Result | Quarter-finals (2005) |
| African Nations Championship Appearances | 2 |
| Best CHAN Result | Quarter-finals (2011) |
| FIFA Confederations Cup Appearances | 2 |
| Best Confederations Cup Result | Fourth Place (2009) |
Brief history of the South Africa team
Organized football in South Africa began in 1892 through the all-white Football Association of South Africa (FASA). It was suspended by both CAF and FIFA following the Soweto uprising and its basis on the apartheid-based football policies. In 1991, the non-racial Bafana Bafana was formed and readmitted to both CAF and FIFA. The team made its first World Cup appearance in 1998, when the tournament was hosted by France, and recorded its first win by beating Slovenia. Since its reformation in 1991, it has appeared in the FIFA World Cup four times.
South Africa World Cup 2026 group
The South Africa FIFA World Cup team will be playing in group A alongside Mexico, Czechia and South Korea. They will play a round-robin, with the top teams advancing to the knockout stages. The third team also stands a chance to move forward if it is ranked among the eight best teams in position three. South Korea and the Czech Republic are the darkhorses in this group.
South Africa World Cup 2026 fixtures and match schedule
The South Africa World Cup 2026 fixtures provide match schedules, venues, status, and the date & time of the team’s upcoming and played matches. The Bafana Bafana have played one game and lost it to Mexico. The table below provides the South Africa World Cup group stage schedule.
| Date | Match | Venue | Result/Status |
| 11 June 2026 | South Africa vs Mexico | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City | Lost 0–2 |
| 18 June 2026 | South Africa vs. the Czech Republic | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta | Upcoming |
| 24/25 June 2026 | South Africa vs South Korea | Estadio BBVA, Monterrey | Upcoming |
Bafana Bafana match results
With the results of the South Africa World Cup, fans can see the team’s progress. One can clearly see how the team has performed in recent matches. The South African National team, being in group A, has played one game against Mexico.
| Date | Match | Score |
| 11 June 2026 | Mexico vs South Africa | 2–0 |
| 18 June 2026 | Czech Republic vs South Africa | Upcoming |
| 24 June 2026 | South Africa vs South Korea | Upcoming |
South Africa national football team standings
The South Africa World Cup standings give the team’s latest position on the tournament’s table. On SportPesa, we give you head-to-head statistics of Bafana Bafana’s position in the World Cup and the entire group A.
| Team | P | W | D | L | Pts |
| Mexico | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| South Korea | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Czech Republic | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| South Africa | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
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South Africa World Cup 2026 Squad
The South Africa World Cup 2026 squad, led by Burnley striker Lyle Foster, has 26 players. Their captain, Ronwen Williams, who has been the team’s lead since 2021, is an inspirational goalkeeper for his penalty-saving tactics. Below is a tabular representation of South Africa World Cup players, their positions, heights, clubs, and their shirt numbers.
| Player | Position | Club | Shirt No. | Height | Age |
| Ronwen Williams | Goalkeeper | Mamelodi Sundowns | 1 | 1.84 m | 34 |
| Ricardo Goss | Goalkeeper | Siwelele FC | 22 | 1.88 m | 32 |
| Sipho Chaine | Goalkeeper | Orlando Pirates | 16 | 1.80 m | 29 |
| Khuliso Mudau | Right Back | Mamelodi Sundowns | 20 | 1.81 m | 31 |
| Aubrey Modiba | Left Back | Mamelodi Sundowns | 6 | 1.72 m | 30 |
| Khulumani Ndamane | Centre Back | Mamelodi Sundowns | 3 | 1.86 m | 22 |
| Nkosinathi Sibisi | Centre Back | Orlando Pirates | 5 | 1.85 m | 29 |
| Kamogelo Sebelebele | Right Back / Winger | Orlando Pirates | 18 | 1.76 m | 23 |
| Olwethu Makhanya | Centre Back | Philadelphia Union | 14 | 1.89 m | 21 |
| Bradley Cross | Left Back | Kaizer Chiefs | 19 | 1.80 m | 24 |
| Samukele Kabini | Centre Back | Molde FK | 15 | 1.88 m | 22 |
| Thabang Matuludi | Right Back | Polokwane City | 25 | 1.78 m | 27 |
| Mbekezeli Mbokazi | Centre Back | Chicago Fire | 24 | 1.87 m | 20 |
| Ime Okon | Centre Back | Hannover 96 | 4 | 1.87 m | 21 |
| Teboho Mokoena | Defensive Midfielder | Mamelodi Sundowns | 8 | 1.76 m | 29 |
| Jayden Adams | Central Midfielder | Mamelodi Sundowns | 12 | 1.78 m | 25 |
| Themba Zwane | Attacking Midfielder | Mamelodi Sundowns | 11 | 1.70 m | 36 |
| Oswin Appollis | Winger | Orlando Pirates | 7 | 1.72 m | 24 |
| Thalente Mbatha | Central Midfielder | Orlando Pirates | 13 | 1.78 m | 25 |
| Relebohile Mofokeng | Attacking Midfielder / Winger | Orlando Pirates | 17 | 1.70 m | 21 |
| Sphephelo Sithole | Defensive Midfielder | CD Tondela | 21 | 1.79 m | 26 |
| Iqraam Rayners | Forward | Mamelodi Sundowns | 10 | 1.75 m | 30 |
| Evidence Makgopa | Striker | Orlando Pirates | 9 | 1.88 m | 26 |
| Tshepang Moremi | Winger | Orlando Pirates | 23 | 1.74 m | 24 |
| Lyle Foster | Striker | Burnley FC | 17 | 1.85 m | 25 |
| Thapelo Maseko | Winger | AEL Limassol | 26 | 1.73 m | 23 |
The Bafana Bafana coaching staff
The Bafana Bafana World Cup 2026 is under the leadership of head coach Hugo Broos, who took charge in 2021. With a track record of successful coaching dating back to 1991, Hugo, the Belgian professional football manager, has a promising future for the South African team. The table below provides the team’s coaching staff and their positions.
| Name | Position | Age | Nationality | Appointed | Contract Expires |
| Hugo Broos | Head Coach (Manager) | 74 | Belgium | 5 May 2021 | 30 June 2026 |
| Vincent Tseka | Team Manager | N/A | South Africa | Not Publicly Available | Not Publicly Available |
| Helman Mkhalele | Assistant Manager | 56 | South Africa | 25 May 2021 | Not Publicly Available |
| Grant Johnson | Goalkeeping Coach | 59 | South Africa | Not Publicly Available | 30 June 2026 |
| Neil Tovey | Technical Director | 64 | South Africa | 28 June 2015 | Not Publicly Available |
| David Molwantwa | Team Organiser / Head of Delegation | N/A | South Africa | Not Publicly Available | Not Publicly Available |
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South Africa World Cup 2026 Stats
South Africa’s FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign has already produced enough discussion points, from possession and passing accuracy to defensive discipline and pressing intensity. These stats highlight the team’s performance, key numbers which define South Africa’s start to the tournament, and the players who have made the biggest impact. The table below gives South Africa’s stats.
| Statistic | Value |
| Matches Played | 1 |
| Goals Scored | 0 |
| Goals Conceded | 2 |
| Clean Sheets | 0 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 |
| Red Cards | 2 |
| Passes | 351 |
| Passes Completed | 290 |
| Crosses | 8 |
| Crosses Completed | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Attempts at Goal | 3 |
| Attempts at Goal on Target | 2 |
| Attempts at Goal Inside Penalty Area | 1 |
| Attempts at Goal Outside Penalty Area | 2 |
| Fouls Against | 11 |
| Corners | 1 |
| Free Kicks | 13 |
| Penalties Scored | 0 |
| Own Goals | 0 |
Player stats
| Category | Player | Value |
| Most Passes | Nkosinathi Sibisi | 52 |
| Most Crosses | Teboho Mokoena | 2 |
| Most Attempts at Goal | Aubrey Modiba | 1 |
| Total Distance Ran | Teboho Mokoena | 9.86 km |
| Average Speed | Sphephelo Sithole | 6.41 km/h |
| Most Sprints | Ime Okon | 52 |
| Most Attempted Line Breaks | Ronwen Williams | 29 |
| Most Completed Line Breaks | Nkosinathi Sibisi | 15 |
| Most Offers to Receive | Teboho Mokoena | 39 |
| Most Receptions Between Midfield & Defensive Line | Iqraam Rayners | 9 |
| Most Pressing Applied | Teboho Mokoena | 40 |
Latest team news
Bafana Bafana will have to reshuffle their line-up due to the two automatic suspensions from their last match against Mexico, which they lost 2-0. The midfielders Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane received red cards in the opening match of the World Cup. Stay tuned on SportPesa for detailed World Cup updates as they unfold.
FAQs about the South Africa World Cup 2026
How many countries are in the World Cup 2026?
The World Cup 2026 has expanded from 32 teams to 48 national teams.
Which groups are in the World Cup 2026?
The World Cup 2026 has 12 groups, alphabetized from A to L. The groups are:
| Group | Teams |
| Group A | Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic |
| Group B | Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland |
| Group C | Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland |
| Group D | United States, Paraguay, Australia, Türkiye |
| Group E | Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador |
| Group F | Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia |
| Group G | Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand |
| Group H | Spain, Cabo Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay |
| Group I | France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway |
| Group J | Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan |
| Group K | Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia |
| Group L | England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama |
Who is the captain of the Bafana Bafana team?
The captain of the Bafana Bafana (South Africa national team) is Ronwen Williams.
How many teams can qualify for the World Cup from Africa?
10 African teams have qualified for the 2026 World Cup.
Conclusion
Various questions, such as who will represent South Africa at the 2026 World Cup, are constantly arising. To answer these queries, we have covered the Bafana Bafana squad and provided a detailed analysis of each player. Get the upcoming news of South Africa’s team on the SportPesa blog coverage.
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