South Africa: Return Of The Bafana Bafana

After experiencing delays with their travel plans due to visas issues, South Africa are finally settled in Mexico, eagerly awaiting the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against the co-host on June 11, 2026 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. With these challenges evidently managed, the team is now focused on opening the competition in style. After missing out on the three previous global showpieces, the Bafana Bafana are back in the FIFA World Cup for the first time since they hosted the world's best in 2010. They qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by finishing first in Group C of the African qualifiers. There was no shortage of drama, as they jostled with continental heavyweights Nigeria and upstarts Benin until the final minute of the last matchday. South Africa are thus at their fourth participation and have never gone past the group stage in their previous appearances. Coach Hugo Broos from Belgium announced South Africa’s final squad for the FIFA World Cup at Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. Key figures in Broos’ squad include inspirational captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, dynamic midfielder Teboho Mokoena and Burnley striker Lyle Foster. The majority of the team are home-based players, principally from clubs like Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates. They have bee...