South Africa will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and will appear fourth in the tournament

South Africa qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after beating Rwanda 3-0 in the final qualifying match at the Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday.

Goals from Thalente Mbatha, Oswin Appollis and Evidence Makgopa saw the South Africans finish top of Group C and secure a place in next year’s quadrennial tournament, which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the US.

This will be the team’s fourth appearance at the FIFA World Cup (1998, 2002, 2010). The country hosted the showpiece competition in 2010. It didn’t get past the group stage every time.

More to follow…

Published on October 14, 2025