South Africa arrive at the 2026 World Cup for the fourth time, returning to the global stage for the first time since they hosted the tournament in 2010. That edition carried enormous significance: Bafana Bafana became the first host nation in World Cup history to be eliminated in the group stage, exiting despite a memorable win over France. Their earlier appearances, in 1998 and 2002, also ended at the group stage. No titles, no knockout rounds, but a nation whose place in the sport's history is secured by the fact that it welcomed the world to Africa for the very first tournament on the continent.

Their path to 2026 was anything but smooth. South Africa were sanctioned by FIFA after fielding the ineligible Teboho Mokoena in a CAF Group C match against Lesotho, with the result overturned and awarded three nil to Lesotho, costing Bafana Bafana three points. Suddenly level on points with Benin and trailing Nigeria, they regrouped. On 10/14/25 they sealed top spot in dramatic fashion, beating Rwanda three nil in Nelspruit through goals from Thalente Mbatha, Oswin Appollis, and Evidence Makgopa, all three from Orlando Pirates, while Nigeria simultaneously dismantled Benin four nil. South Africa finished first with 18 points, one clear of Nigeria.