Here's how Bafana Bafana can qualify for 2026 World Cup

Here’s how Bafana Bafana can qualify for 2026 World Cup

If Bafana Bafana defeats Benin on Tuesday, their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign will be significantly smoother. Here’s why.

Bafana to play Benin. Image:@BafanaBafana/X

Bafana Bafana have positioned themselves well to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a decisive victory over Lesotho on Friday evening.

Two goals from Relebohile Mofokeng and Jayden Adams were enough to hand Hugo Broos’ men all three points at the Peter Mokaba Stadium. The win saw them top Group C with 10 points from five matches. Bafana have been the team to beat in the past year and have not tasted defeat in 11 matches.

What Bafana needs to qualify for the 2026 World Cup

With five matches remaining, 25 points are up for grabs for Bafana. If they win all their matches, South Africa will automatically book their place in the USA/Canada and Mexico next year.

Broos’ men don’t need to win all their matches to secure qualifications, they just need to beat the teams closest to them which are Rwanda, Nigeria and Benin. Tuesday’s match with Benin could gauge Bafana’s mental strength as a win will put them closer to the 2026 World Cup qualification.

A win on Tuesday and another victory over Lesotho in September will see South Africa on 16 points with three matches remaining. This means their home match against Nigeria might secure them passage to their first World Cup in 16 years.

All Bafana Bafana need to do is to win three matches, avoid defeat to Nigeria and they will qualify for the 2026 World Cup. With four of their last five matches played in South Africa, Broos’ men should target three wins and a draw. A minimum of 20 points should see them home only if they don’t lose to the Super Eagles.