South African football icon Siphiwe Tshabalala has opened up on the significance of Bafana Bafana’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
South Africa secured their spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup—to be co-hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada—by topping Group C with 18 points.
This marks their first appearance at the global tournament since they automatically qualified as hosts in 2010.
Tshabalala, who was notably part of the 2010 squad that played on home soil, expressed his delight at the national team’s qualifying achievement.
“We’re happy as South Africa that Bafana Bafana qualified for the World Cup,” said Tshabalala.
“I can say it that when it comes to the national team football. World Cup is the highest level. That’s a space where players can raise hand [to impress], they can have an opportunity to compete against the best in the world.
“Congratulations to Bafana Bafana. The last time we qualified for a World Cup was in 2002, but we got a chance to make history in 2010 as South Africa to host such a big competition.”
Tshabalala’s legacy includes the unforgettable moment in the 2010 World Cup when he netted the competition’s inaugural goal.
“History is for everyone, you don’t own history, you have to enjoy that moment,” he added.
“And I’d be happy and hopefully, this tournament will present an opportunity for some of our players to make history and the entire national team.”
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