South Africa has secured a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time in 16 years following a decisive 3-0 victory over Rwanda on the final day of African qualifiers.
The win sealed Bafana Bafana’s return to football’s biggest stage and sparked jubilant celebrations across the country.
Coached by Hugo Broos, the national team finished with 18 points in one of Africa’s tightest qualifying groups, edging out Benin and Nigeria to claim the coveted spot.
The result marks a major milestone for a revitalised squad led by rising stars Percy Tau, Lyle Foster and Teboho Mokoena.
South Africa last appeared at the World Cup in 2010 when it hosted the tournament and captivated global audiences with its vibrant culture and iconic vuvuzelas.
Prior to that, the team qualified for France 1998 and Korea-Japan 2002, achieving its best-ever finish of 17th place.
The 2026 edition, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will feature an expanded format with 48 teams – the largest in the tournament’s history.
Fans flooded the streets of Johannesburg and other cities to celebrate the end of a long wait, with many hopeful that this new generation can restore the national team’s identity and challenge the world’s best.
JN/APA