South Africa have booked their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking their return to the global stage for the first time since they hosted the tournament in 2010.
Bafana Bafana sealed qualification after a convincing 3–0 victory over Rwanda in Mbombela on Tuesday, taking advantage of Benin’s defeat to Nigeria in the final round of Group C matches.
Benin had started the day at the top of the group, two points clear of South Africa and three ahead of Nigeria. However, their 4–0 loss in Uyo — with Victor Osimhen netting a hat-trick — saw the Cheetahs drop to third on goal difference.
South Africa capitalised on the opportunity with an early goal from Thalente Mbatha in the fifth minute, followed by Oswin Appollis midway through the first half. Evidence Makgopa added the third in the 72nd minute, sealing a comfortable win for Hugo Broos’ side.
Bafana Bafana become the seventh African nation to book a spot at the expanded 48-team World Cup, joining Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, and Cape Verde.
The qualification campaign was not without its drama. South Africa had been handed a 3–0 forfeit for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho in March, dropping them from first to second in the group. Their draw against Zimbabwe on Friday also piled on the pressure. But with Benin’s defeat, Bafana Bafana’s emphatic response ensured their safe passage to the finals.
Africa’s final two automatic qualification places — from Group B (Senegal or DR Congo) and Group F (Ivory Coast or Gabon) — will be decided later on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Nigeria kept their hopes alive by securing a play-off spot, with the overall winner of the play-offs advancing to FIFA’s inter-continental qualifiers in March 2026. Those matches will determine the final two African representatives at the World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
