After a comprehensive 3–0 victory over Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday night, and with Nigeria crushing Benin, Bafana Bafana officially booked their place at the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
It’s been 16 long years since South Africa last graced football’s biggest stage.
The last appearance came on home soil in 2010, a tournament fondly remembered for vuvuzelas, unity and Siphiwe Tshabalala’s iconic opening goal.
Before that the team appeared in 1998 and 2002, when legends like Doctor Khumalo and Benni McCarthy carried national pride across the globe.
Since then fans have endured heartbreaking near-misses, qualification flops and fading hopes, but that’s all about to change.
The 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, will take place from June 11 to July 19 2026 in 16 cities from Vancouver to Miami.
With the dream real, South Africans are asking, “Will you travel to support the national team in the US?”
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.