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FIFA World Cup: How Bafana Bafana can progress to the next round
Bafana Bafana remain well placed to reach the Round of 32, with three possible qualification routes available from Group A.
The tournament format sees the top two teams in each of the 12 groups qualify automatically for the knockout stages. They are joined by the eight best third-placed teams across all groups.
With matches against Mexico and the Czech Republic still to come, South Africa’s fate remains firmly in their own hands. biznow.biz
TOP-TWO FINISH GUARANTEES PROGRESSION
The simplest route for South Africa is to secure automatic qualification by winning their next two matches.
Victories over Mexico and the Czech Republic would guarantee South Africa a place in the Round of 32 and see them qualify with a game to spare.
Six points from those two fixtures would be enough to ensure Bafana finish in the top two positions in Group A.
Another route is qualification as runners-up.
South Africa could still finish second in the group by collecting between four and six points from their remaining matches. To achieve that, they would need to end the group stage above either South Korea or the Czech Republic in the standings.
A runners-up finish would also secure direct passage to the knockout rounds without relying on results elsewhere.
THIRD PLACE COULD STILL BE ENOUGH FOR BAFANA BAFANA
Even if South Africa finish third in Group A, qualification remains a possibility.
The tournament allows the eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups to advance to the Round of 32.
In that scenario, South Africa would need to compare favourably with the third-placed teams from the other groups.
Also read: Top 5: Bafana Bafana’s most-capped players of all time
Points would be the primary factor, while goal difference and goals scored could become decisive if teams are level on points.
That means every result, and potentially every goal, could play a significant role in determining whether Bafana progress.
For now, South Africa know that strong performances against Mexico and the Czech Republic could remove any need for complicated calculations and secure their place in the knockout stages.
WHEN IS MEXICO VS BAFANA BAFANA?
- Date: 11 June 2026
- Kick-off: 21:00 SAST
- Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
Other Group A Fixtures
- 18 June 2026
- Czech Republic vs South Africa
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, United States
- 18:00 SAST
- 25 June 2026
- South Africa vs South Korea
- Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe, Mexico
- 03:00 SAST.
SA A team gunning for whitewash of England Lions in final one-day clash
The South African A side are targeting a complete whitewash of the England Lions when their tour of England concludes with the final one-day match of the series at New Road Cricket Ground in Worcester on Tuesday (11am start).
It has been a dominant tour for the SA A team, as they have hammered their England counterparts in all four games so far.
They started by sweeping the four-day series two-nil, winning both matches comfortably by eight wickets.
Taking that momentum into the one-day series, they started it with a bang by winning the opening match by nine wickets, before producing arguably their most emphatic performance of the tour with a thumping 10-wicket win in the second game.
That secured the series with a match to play, and the SA A team will now be keen to finish their tour with a flourish, while the England Lions will be desperate to come away from a chastening home run with a consolation victory.
Second one-day game
The second one-day match took place at New Road in Worcester on Sunday, and saw another top all-round performance from SA A, after captain Marques Ackerman won the toss and chose to field.
The Lions put in a better batting performance than the first game when they were bundled out for just 119, but not by much as they made 198 all out with Caleb Falconer (45) top scoring, while four other batters got into the 20s.
The SA A bowling effort was led by rising talent Nqobani Mokoena, as he picked up 4/40 in 8.1 overs, while he was backed up well by Bjorn Fortuin, 2/30, and Nqaba Peter, 2/41.
It was then a brutal chase from the SA A openers as they powered to 201/0 in the 31st over, with young star Lhuan-dre Pretorius cracking 116 off 114 balls (10×4; 7×6), and Rubin Hermann hammered 83 off 69 (7×5; 5×6).
The SA A team will now head into the final one-day match as heavy favourites, having not been seriously tested by the Lions at all, while the English hosts will hope to produce their best game across both series to try and give the visitors a decent challenge.
Soudan: l’envoyé spécial de l’ONU à Khartoum pour relancer un dialogue national inclusif
Le président du Conseil souverain de transition et chef de l'armée soudanaise, le général Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, a rencontré dimanche 7 juin 2026 Pekka Haavisto, l’envoyé spécial de l'ONU au Soudan. Les discussions ont porté sur les efforts en cours visant à instaurer la paix au Soudan, surtout après la réunion entre des partis politiques proches des deux belligérants, réunion initiée par le Mécanisme des cinq avec l'ONU et l'Union africaine et qui a eu lieu à Addis-Abeba la semaine dernière.
Three things Bafana must get right to make history
The stakes could hardly be higher for Bafana Bafana as they prepare for their long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup after a 16-year absence.
Having last featured as hosts in 2010, South Africa now face a daunting Group A assignment against Mexico, the Czech Republic and South Korea.
Amid the excitement, there lies an opportunity to finally achieve what previous generations could not, progress beyond the group stage.
Coach Hugo Broos and his technical team have built a side capable of competing, but success in North America will depend on getting several key decisions right.
Here are three areas Bafana must nail to give themselves the best chance of making history.
Clinical finishing non-negotiable
World Cups are decided by fine margins and Bafana can’t afford wastefulness in front of goal. Lyle Foster and the attacking unit will carry huge responsibility in ensuring South Africa capitalise on the opportunities that come their way. Foster’s penalty miss in the recent friendly against Nicaragua highlighted concerns about efficiency in the final third, something that must improve quickly.
South Africa are unlikely to dominate possession against stronger opposition, which means chances could be limited and they must make every opportunity count. The Nicaragua encounter may also have offered limited preparation value.
Their defensive approach allowed Bafana plenty of possession but little space. Mexico, the Czech Republic and South Korea are expected to play a far more open game, something that could suit South Africa’s pace and ability to exploit spaces behind defences.
Broos must find balance in his starting XI
Tournament football often tempts coaches into tactical experimentation, but Broos can’t afford unnecessary gambles. Bafana’s best players need to be on the field consistently, particularly in matches where small details can determine qualification.
The Belgian coach learned this lesson during the previous Africa Cup of Nations when tactical changes against Cameroon in the Round of 16 failed to produce the desired outcome. Player selection will therefore be crucial. When fit, Aubrey Modiba remains South Africa’s strongest option on the left flank regardless of formation.
Teboho Mokoena’s role is equally important and deploying him in a deeper position limits one of Bafana’s biggest attacking weapons. His ability to strike from distance and influence games higher up the pitch could prove decisive against quality opposition.
The creative question remains unanswered
If the goalless draw against Nicaragua exposed one weakness, it was Bafana’s need for greater creativity. The number 10 role remains a major talking point heading into the tournament. Sipho Mbule was initially viewed as the solution during the last AFCON, but poor form eventually saw him fall out of contention.
Despite veteran midfielder Themba Zwane being back in the squad, the number 10 responsibility now appears set to fall on Relebohile Mofokeng. The young midfielder arrives at the World Cup in impressive form after helping Pirates secure the Betway Premiership title.
However, international football presents a different challenge. While Mofokeng has thrived in club football, he is yet to consistently replicate those performances when operating centrally for Bafana. If South Africa are to unlock stubborn defences, finding the right formula in this position may ultimately define their tournament.
World Cup Predictions
Who will win the world cup: Spain
Player of the tournament: Lamine Yamal
Top Scorer: Harry Kane
Dark Horse: Netherlands
Flop: Haiti