Hugo Broos’ side secured their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stages with a 1-0 victory over South Korea, thanks to Thapelo Maseko’s decisive goal.
The result not only sent South Africa through for the first time but also expanded the exclusive list of African countries to have progressed beyond the group stage.
AFRICA’S ELITE LIST GROWS
Only eight African nations have now reached the second round of the World Cup since the tournament began.
- Nigeria – 1994, 1998, 2014
- Morocco – 1986, 2022, 2026
- Senegal – 2002, 2022
- Ghana – 2006, 2010
- Cameroon – 1990
- Algeria – 2014
- Angola – 2006
- South Africa – 2026.
South Africa’s achievement comes in the first edition of the expanded 48-team tournament, where the Round of 32 replaced the previous Round of 16 as the opening knockout stage.
BAFANA BAFANA MAKE HISTORY
The victory over South Korea marked a landmark moment for South African football. In their previous appearances at the FIFA World Cup in 1998, 2002 and 2010, Bafana Bafana finished third in the group each time and failed to advance.
This time, however, they finally broke through and secured a place in the second round, becoming the latest African side to join the continent’s World Cup pioneers.
Meanwhile, Morocco also advanced from the group stage, continuing the impressive form that saw the Atlas Lions become the first African team to reach a FIFA World Cup semi-final in 2022.
MORE AFRICAN SIDES STILL IN CONTENTION
The number of African teams in the second round could still increase before the group stage concludes.
Ghana, Ivory Coast, Algeria, Cape Verde, Tunisia and Senegal all remain in contention to qualify, with crucial final group matches set to determine whether they can join South Africa and Morocco in the knockout rounds.
For now, though, Bafana Bafana’s achievement has ensured that South Africa will forever be remembered as the eighth African nation to reach the second round of the FIFA World Cup.
