SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa is a four-time World Cup participant, playing in Group A against Mexico, South Korea, and the Czech Republic. South Africa opens the tournament on June 11 against Mexico at the Estadio Azteca — the first team to play at this stadium on opening day since 1986. Head coach Hugo Broos, a Belgian (since 2021), is stepping down after the 2026 World Cup for family reasons. The leaders: Ronwen Williams, Percy Tau, Lebo Mothua.

In 2010 South Africa hosted Africa's first-ever World Cup. The team under Carlos Alberto Parreira became the first host country in history not to advance from the group — but history remembers it differently. In the tournament opener at Soccer City in Johannesburg, Siphiwe Tshabalala scored against Mexico from 35 meters — a moment that's now part of culture. In the final group match South Africa beat France 2:1 — but didn't escape the group on goal difference. In 2002 in Korea the team also played in the round of 16, losing 1:2 to Turkey.

Qualifying was dramatic. South Africa played in a group with Nigeria but received a points deduction for an irregularity in one match — yet a final win over Rwanda secured first place. Broos built the team on physical football. In Group A the first match is against Mexico at the Azteca on June 11, the tournament opener. Then Boston and Los Angeles. A chance for South Africa to repeat 2010 — but the match against South Korea in Los Angeles will be the decisive test.

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