Bafana Bafana have been drawn alongside co-hosts Mexico and South Korea in Group A at FIFA World Cup 2026.
However, the identity of their third and final group stage opponents has yet to be determined.
There are four UEFA teams who will battle it out for the fourth and final spot in the group later this month.
Let’s take a look at who could join South Africa in Group A.
BAFANA BAFANA POTENTIAL WORLD CUP OPPONENTS
Four teams are currently battling it out in the UEFA Playoffs (Path D).
Ireland, Czech Republic, Denmark and North Macedonia are all still in the fight.
These four European nations will play in two ‘semi-finals’ with the eventual winner grabbing the final spot in Pool A.
In semi-final one, Denmark will host North Macedonia in Copenhagen, while in the second semi-final Czech Republic will take on Ireland in Prague.
Both matches will take place on Thursday, 26 March at 20:45 (SA time).
Thereafter, the two winners will play each other in the ‘final’ with their FIFA World Cup destiny at stake.
That ‘final’ is scheduled for Tuesday, 31 March in either Dublin or Prague, with kick-off at 20:45 (SA time).
Based on the FIFA world rankings, North Macedonia (66th) would be the ‘easiest’ opponent out of the four nations for Bafana Bafana to face, while Denmark (21st) are the favourites to join South Africa in Group A.
The Czech Republic are ranked 43rd, while Ireland find themselves in the 59th position.
South Africa are ranked 60th.
SOUTH AFRICA HAS A FIGHTING CHANCE AFTER DRAW
Hugo Broos and his charges will certainly be happy with the draw as they were able to dodge top-seeded teams like Spain, Argentina, France, England and Brazil.
Although they will go into their opening fixture against Mexico as underdogs, they will have a fighting chance of progressing to the Round of 32 – certainly a much better chance than had they faced any of the aforementioned top-ranked nations.
Also, it is personal.
Mexico held Bafana Bafana to a 1-1 draw at the FNB Stadium (then Soccer City) in front of over 90 000 fans at the opening fixture of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, providing added motivation for Bafana Bafana heading into their opening fixture on 11 June.
Bafana Bafana’s second Group A match will be against the yet-to-be-determined fourth side in the group on 18 June, while their clash against South Korea is scheduled for 24 June.
As a reminder, the top two sides in each of the 12 groups plus the eight best third-ranked sides will progress to the Round of 32 at a World Cup which will feature 48 teams for the first time ever.
Who should Bafana Bafana be hoping qualifies for their group?
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