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RSA
Group ACAF3.6 Power Index · Underdog106 days to kickoff

South Africa

FIFA World Cup 2026 · Group A · vs Mexico, South Korea, UEFA Playoff D

FIFA Rank

#58

WC Titles

WC Apps

3

Best Result

Group stage (1998, 2002, 2010)

Star Player

Percy Tau

About South Africa

South Africa, with its capital in Pretoria and a population of 62 million, is known for Table Mountain, wildlife safaris, and Nelson Mandela's legacy. South Africa is the only country in the world with three capital cities — Pretoria, Cape Town, and Bloemfontein.

In football, the Bafana Bafana are a 3-time World Cup participant with their best result being Group stage (1998, 2002, 2010). Their World Cup journey began in 1998, and they enter the 2026 tournament with Percy Tau as their talisman under head coach Hugo Broos. South Africa became the first African nation to host a World Cup in 2010, where the vuvuzela became a global phenomenon.

SeatNav's Power Index rates South Africa at 3.6 out of 10, ranking them #36 overall and classifying them as a determined underdog. In Group A, they face Mexico, South Korea in what has been categorized as a highly competitive group (difficulty 7/10).

South Africa supporters traveling to the 2026 World Cup can look forward to matches across multiple host cities in Mexico and the United States. Follow SeatNav for ticket availability, venue guides, and match day information as the tournament approaches.

10

Key Player

Percy Tau

Bafana Bafana · FIFA #58

HC

Head Coach

Hugo Broos

Home: FNB Stadium (Soccer City)

Power Index🎯 UNDERDOG
#36 overall
Ranking
2/10
Group
7/10
Squad
3/10
Fans
5/10
History
2/10
3.6
WC26-PI-v1.0
Lower-ranked — upset potential if drawn
View all rankings →

Group A

Top 2 advance. Best 3rd-place teams qualify for Round of 32.

Squad Preview

Squad data not yet available. Check back closer to the tournament.

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#1
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#2
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#3
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#4
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#5
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#7
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#9
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#10
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#11

Group Stage Opponents

MEX flag
MEX

Mexico

CONCACAF

10
vs
10
View team →
KOR flag
KOR

South Korea

AFC

10
vs
10
View team →
TBD flag
TBD

UEFA Playoff D

UEFA

10
vs
10

Playoff — TBD March 2026

Squad data via API-Football. Team colors are approximate. Final World Cup rosters announced May 2026. SeatNav is not affiliated with FIFA.