South Africa at the 2026 World Cup – Squad, Stats, Fixtures & History
| FIFA Ranking | 61 |
| Confederation | CAF |
| Manager | Hugo Broos |
| Captain | Ronwen Williams |
| Nickname | Bafana Bafana |
| World Cup Titles | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 4 |
| Best Finish | Group stage (2002, 2010) |
| 2022 World Cup | Did not qualify |
| 2026 Group | Group A (Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, Czech Republic) |
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Qualifying & history
Complete statistical breakdown from South Africa's CAF qualifying campaign and all-time World Cup history.
Qualifying campaign — detailed breakdown
| Final Position | Qualified |
| Record | W5 D3 L1 |
| Goals Scored | 15 (1.67/match) |
| Goals Conceded | 6 (0.67/match) |
| Goal Difference | +9 |
| Clean Sheets | 4 (44.4%) |
| Failed to Score | 2 matches (22.2%) |
| Biggest Win | 3-0 (H) / 0-3 (A) |
| Biggest Loss | — |
| Win Rate | 55.6% |
| Home Record | W3 D1 L0 (4 games) |
| Away Record | W2 D2 L1 (5 games) |
| Top Scorer | — |
| Top Assister | — |
| Most Carded | R. Williams (1 yellow) |
| Managers Used | Hugo Broos |
Standard stats — CAF World Cup Qualifiers 2026
| Player | Pos | Age | MP | Starts | Min | 90s | Gls | Ast | G+A | CrdY | CrdR | G+A/90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R. Williams | G | 33 | 10 | 10 | 912 | 10.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 |
| T. Mokoena | M | 28 | 9 | 9 | 814 | 9.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0.00 |
| K. Mudau | D | 30 | 8 | 8 | 720 | 8.0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0.13 |
| A. Modiba | D | 30 | 7 | 7 | 628 | 7.0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0.14 |
| O. Appollis | M | 24 | 8 | 5 | 493 | 5.5 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1.09 |
| N. Sibisi | D | 30 | 6 | 5 | 479 | 5.3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| S. Ngezana | D | 28 | 5 | 5 | 458 | 5.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.00 |
| L. Foster | A | 25 | 6 | 5 | 444 | 4.9 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0.61 |
| P. Tau | M | 31 | 5 | 5 | 424 | 4.7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.21 |
| S. Sithole | M | 26 | 5 | 5 | 390 | 4.3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.47 |
| T. Zwane | M | 36 | 4 | 4 | 348 | 3.9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.26 |
| S. Mbule | M | 27 | 4 | 4 | 337 | 3.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 |
| T. Mbatha | M | 25 | 5 | 3 | 295 | 3.3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.30 |
| M. Mbokazi | D | 20 | 3 | 3 | 282 | 3.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 |
| M. Nkota | M | 21 | 4 | 3 | 273 | 3.0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0.33 |
| B. Aubaas | M | 30 | 7 | 2 | 270 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 |
| T. Morena | D | 32 | 6 | 2 | 250 | 2.8 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.71 |
| M. Mvala | D | 31 | 3 | 3 | 241 | 2.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| I. Rayners | A | 30 | 6 | 2 | 194 | 2.2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.45 |
| E. Mokwana | M | 26 | 3 | 3 | 182 | 2.0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.50 |
| Siyanda Xulu | D | 32 | 2 | 2 | 180 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| F. Basadien | D | 29 | 2 | 2 | 180 | 2.0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.50 |
| R. Mofokeng | M | 21 | 3 | 2 | 159 | 1.8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.56 |
| Z. Mdunyelwa | D | 26 | 2 | 1 | 151 | 1.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| E. Makgopa | A | 25 | 3 | 2 | 150 | 1.7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1.18 |
| SQUAD TOTAL | 145 | 109 | 10036 | 111.5 | 16 | 11 | 27 | 13 | 0 | — | ||
Updated from qualifying campaign data
Shooting stats — CAF World Cup Qualifiers 2026
| Player | Pos | Age | 90s | Gls | Sh | SoT | SoT% | Sh/90 | G/Sh | G/SoT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L. Foster | A | 25 | 4.9 | 2 | 10 | 5 | 50.0% | 2.04 | 0.20 | 0.40 |
| O. Appollis | M | 24 | 5.5 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 100.0% | 1.09 | 0.33 | 0.33 |
| T. Morena | D | 32 | 2.8 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 60.0% | 1.79 | 0.40 | 0.67 |
| J. Adams | M | 24 | 1.1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 66.7% | 2.73 | 0.67 | 1.00 |
| I. Rayners | A | 30 | 2.2 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 66.7% | 2.73 | 0.17 | 0.25 |
| P. Tau | M | 31 | 4.7 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 40.0% | 1.06 | 0.20 | 0.50 |
| T. Mbatha | M | 25 | 3.3 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 60.0% | 1.52 | 0.20 | 0.33 |
| R. Mofokeng | M | 21 | 1.8 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 80.0% | 2.78 | 0.20 | 0.25 |
| K. Mudau | D | 30 | 8.0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 50.0% | 0.50 | 0.25 | 0.50 |
| M. Nkota | M | 21 | 3.0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 50.0% | 1.33 | 0.25 | 0.50 |
| T. Zwane | M | 36 | 3.9 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 33.3% | 0.77 | 0.33 | 1.00 |
| E. Makgopa | A | 25 | 1.7 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 50.0% | 1.18 | 0.50 | 1.00 |
| T. Mokoena | M | 28 | 9.0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 42.9% | 0.78 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| S. Mbule | M | 27 | 3.7 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 16.7% | 1.62 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| A. Modiba | D | 30 | 7.0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 33.3% | 0.43 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| E. Mokwana | M | 26 | 2.0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 66.7% | 1.50 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| N. Sibisi | D | 30 | 5.3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 50.0% | 0.38 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| S. Sithole | M | 26 | 4.3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.0% | 0.47 | 0.00 | — |
| M. Mbokazi | D | 20 | 3.1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.0% | 0.65 | 0.00 | — |
| M. Mvala | D | 31 | 2.7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.0% | 0.74 | 0.00 | — |
| SQUAD TOTAL | 111.5 | 16 | 89 | 44 | 49.4% | — | — | — | ||
Goalkeeping stats — CAF World Cup Qualifiers 2026
| Player | Age | MP | Starts | Min | 90s | GA | GA90 | SoTA | Saves | Save% | CS | CS% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R. Williams | 33 | 10 | 10 | 912 | 10.1 | 6 | 0.59 | — | 14 | — | — | — |
| SQUAD TOTAL | 10 | 10 | 912 | 10.1 | 6 | 0.59 | — | 14 | — | — | — | |
Playing time — CAF World Cup Qualifiers 2026
| Player | Pos | Age | MP | Min | Min% | Starts | Subs | Complete 90s | PPM | On-Off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R. Williams | G | 33 | 10 | 912 | 9.1% | 10 | 0 | — | — | — |
| T. Mokoena | M | 28 | 9 | 814 | 8.1% | 9 | 0 | — | — | — |
| K. Mudau | D | 30 | 8 | 720 | 7.2% | 8 | 0 | — | — | — |
| A. Modiba | D | 30 | 7 | 628 | 6.3% | 7 | 0 | — | — | — |
| O. Appollis | M | 24 | 8 | 493 | 4.9% | 5 | 3 | — | — | — |
| N. Sibisi | D | 30 | 6 | 479 | 4.8% | 5 | 1 | — | — | — |
| S. Ngezana | D | 28 | 5 | 458 | 4.6% | 5 | 0 | — | — | — |
| L. Foster | A | 25 | 6 | 444 | 4.4% | 5 | 1 | — | — | — |
| P. Tau | M | 31 | 5 | 424 | 4.2% | 5 | 0 | — | — | — |
| S. Sithole | M | 26 | 5 | 390 | 3.9% | 5 | 0 | — | — | — |
| T. Zwane | M | 36 | 4 | 348 | 3.5% | 4 | 0 | — | — | — |
| S. Mbule | M | 27 | 4 | 337 | 3.4% | 4 | 0 | — | — | — |
| T. Mbatha | M | 25 | 5 | 295 | 2.9% | 3 | 2 | — | — | — |
| M. Mbokazi | D | 20 | 3 | 282 | 2.8% | 3 | 0 | — | — | — |
| M. Nkota | M | 21 | 4 | 273 | 2.7% | 3 | 1 | — | — | — |
| B. Aubaas | M | 30 | 7 | 270 | 2.7% | 2 | 5 | — | — | — |
| T. Morena | D | 32 | 6 | 250 | 2.5% | 2 | 4 | — | — | — |
| M. Mvala | D | 31 | 3 | 241 | 2.4% | 3 | 0 | — | — | — |
| I. Rayners | A | 30 | 6 | 194 | 1.9% | 2 | 4 | — | — | — |
| E. Mokwana | M | 26 | 3 | 182 | 1.8% | 3 | 0 | — | — | — |
| Siyanda Xulu | D | 32 | 2 | 180 | 1.8% | 2 | 0 | — | — | — |
| F. Basadien | D | 29 | 2 | 180 | 1.8% | 2 | 0 | — | — | — |
| R. Mofokeng | M | 21 | 3 | 159 | 1.6% | 2 | 1 | — | — | — |
| Z. Mdunyelwa | D | 26 | 2 | 151 | 1.5% | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
| E. Makgopa | A | 25 | 3 | 150 | 1.5% | 2 | 1 | — | — | — |
PPM = Points per match when player was on the pitch.
Discipline & miscellaneous — CAF World Cup Qualifiers 2026
| Player | Pos | Age | 90s | CrdY | CrdR | Fls | Fld | Off | Int | TklW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T. Mokoena | M | 28 | 9.0 | 3 | 0 | 12 | 18 | — | — | — |
| S. Ngezana | D | 28 | 5.1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 5 | — | — | — |
| R. Williams | G | 33 | 10.1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | — | — |
| K. Mudau | D | 30 | 8.0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 15 | — | — | — |
| A. Modiba | D | 30 | 7.0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 13 | — | — | — |
| L. Foster | A | 25 | 4.9 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 2 | — | — | — |
| S. Mbule | M | 27 | 3.7 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 9 | — | — | — |
| M. Mbokazi | D | 20 | 3.1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | — | — | — |
| M. Nkota | M | 21 | 3.0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 4 | — | — | — |
| B. Aubaas | M | 30 | 3.0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | — | — | — |
| O. Appollis | M | 24 | 5.5 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 | — | — | — |
| N. Sibisi | D | 30 | 5.3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | — | — | — |
| P. Tau | M | 31 | 4.7 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 4 | — | — | — |
| S. Sithole | M | 26 | 4.3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 10 | — | — | — |
| T. Zwane | M | 36 | 3.9 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 6 | — | — | — |
| T. Mbatha | M | 25 | 3.3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 4 | — | — | — |
| T. Morena | D | 32 | 2.8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | — | — | — |
| M. Mvala | D | 31 | 2.7 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — |
| I. Rayners | A | 30 | 2.2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
| E. Mokwana | M | 26 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| Siyanda Xulu | D | 32 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — |
| F. Basadien | D | 29 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — |
| R. Mofokeng | M | 21 | 1.8 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — |
| Z. Mdunyelwa | D | 26 | 1.7 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | — | — | — |
| E. Makgopa | A | 25 | 1.7 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — |
| SQUAD TOTAL | 111.5 | 13 | 0 | 121 | 130 | — | — | — | ||
CrdY = Yellow cards · CrdR = Red cards · Fls = Fouls committed · Fld = Fouls drawn · Off = Offsides · Int = Interceptions · TklW = Tackles won
Scores & fixtures — CAF World Cup Qualifiers 2026
| Date | MD | Venue | Opponent | Result | GF | GA | Formation | Captain | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 18, 2023 | 1 | Home | Benin | W | 2 | 1 | — | — | — |
| Nov 21, 2023 | 2 | Away | Rwanda | L | 0 | 2 | — | — | — |
| Jun 7, 2024 | 3 | Away | Nigeria | D | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
| Jun 11, 2024 | 4 | Home | Zimbabwe | W | 3 | 1 | — | — | — |
| Mar 21, 2025 | 5 | Home | Lesotho | L | 0 | 3 | — | — | — |
| Mar 25, 2025 | 6 | Away | Benin | W | 2 | 0 | — | — | — |
| Sep 5, 2025 | 7 | Away | Lesotho | W | 3 | 0 | — | — | — |
| Sep 9, 2025 | 8 | Home | Nigeria | D | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
| Oct 10, 2025 | 9 | Away | Zimbabwe | D | 0 | 0 | — | — | — |
| Oct 14, 2025 | 10 | Home | Rwanda | W | 3 | 0 | — | — | — |
Qualifying record: CAF — Group C runners-up
Formation usage — 2024–2026
| Formation | Times Used | W | D | L | Win% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-2-3-1 | 8 | — | — | — | 88.9% |
| 4-4-2 | 1 | — | — | — | 11.1% |
Primary formation: 4-2-3-1 (used in 88.9% of qualifying matches)
All-time World Cup record
| World Cup Appearances | 4 |
| Total Matches | 12 |
| Record | W2 D5 L5 |
| Win Rate | 16.7% |
| Goals | 12 scored, 18 conceded (GD -6) |
| Titles | 0 |
| Best Finish | Group stage (2002, 2010) |
Year-by-year results
| Year | Host | Result | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | South Africa | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| 2002 | South Korea/Japan | Group stage | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 |
| 1998 | France | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
| TOTAL | 4 editions | 12 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 18 | |
South Africa all-time top scorers at World Cups
| # | Player | Goals | Tournaments | Years Active |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 1 | Siphiwe Tshabalala | 2 | 1 | 2010 |
| 2 | Benni McCarthy | 2 | 2 | 1998–2002 |
| 3 | Lucas Radebe | 1 | 2 | 1998–2002 |
Head-to-head vs Group A opponents
vs Mexico
2
Total
0
South Africa W
1
Draws
1
Mexico W
Last meeting: Mexico 2-0 South Africa · June 2026
vs South Korea
1
Total
1
South Africa W
0
Draws
0
South Korea W
Last meeting: South Africa 1-0 South Korea · June 2026
vs Czech Republic
1
Total
0
South Africa W
1
Draws
0
Czech Republic W
Last meeting: Czechia 1-1 South Africa · June 2026
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