Bafana is in the World Cup! Who’s in and who’s out?

AFTER learning about Bafana Bafana’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, South Africans are starting to buzz with excitement.

South Africa’s national team booked their place in next year’s global showdown after a decisive 3–0 victory over Rwanda in Mbombela yesterday (Tuesday), marking our long-awaited return to football’s biggest stage. This is the first time Bafana will compete in a Soccer World Cup since South Africa hosted the event in 2010.

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First-half goals from Thalente Mbatha and Oswin Appollis, followed by a late strike from Evidence Makgopa sealed the win. However, it was also Nigeria’s 4–0 win over Benin that ensured the local lads topped Group C.

Who’s in?
As of this month, 25 nations have secured their places at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside the three host nations. More teams from Europe, north and Central America, and Africa will be confirmed over the next few months. Here’s the current line-up of confirmed qualifiers:

• Hosts: United States, Canada, Mexico
• Africa (CAF): South Africa joins 8 other African teams, making this the largest-ever representation for the continent. Joining Bafana Bafana are Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia
• Asia (AFC): Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Uzbekistan
• Europe (UEFA): England
• South America (CONMEBOL): Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay
• Oceania (OFC): New Zealand

Who’s out?
While the excitement builds, there’s heartbreak for several big names that won’t be part of the 2026 tournament.

• South America: Peru and Chile (both former semi-finalists) and Venezuela
• Asia: China, Indonesia, Bahrain and Palestine
• Africa: Angola, Libya, Mali and Namibia

Getting ready for the 2026 Soccer World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the biggest in history, featuring 48 teams for the first time. Matches will take place across 16 cities in three host countries – the United States, Canada, and Mexico – from 11 June to 19 July 2026.

The opening match will be played at Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca, and the final will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA.

The official draw takes place on 5 December at the Kennedy Centre in Washington, DC, where Bafana Bafana will discover their group-stage opponents.

With the yellow and green back on the world stage, South Africans can start building the ‘gees’, playing Waka Waka on repeat, and blowing those vuvuzelas as we get ready for next year’s World Cup!

SOURCES: www.dailymaverick.co.za | www.aljazeera.com | www.premierleague.com

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