CAF · Group A
South Africa at FIFA World Cup 2026
South Africa qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026, the first 48-team edition, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Group A opponents
South Africa plays the following three teams in the group stage. Top 2 advance to the Round of 32; the 3rd-placed team can still advance via the best-3rd-placed playoff route (8 of 12 third-placed teams qualify).
South Africa fixtures
South Africa in the tournament
CAF (Africa) sends 9 teams, up from 5 in the previous edition. Morocco reached the semifinals in 2022.
The 2026 World Cup is the largest in tournament history, with 48 teams divided into 12 groups of 4. The top 2 from each group advance automatically, along with the 8 best 3rd-placed teams from across all groups. That puts South Africa in Group A with Mexico, South Korea, Czechia, competing for one of the 32 knockout slots.
Frequently asked questions about South Africa
When does South Africa play at the FIFA World Cup 2026?
South Africa plays 3 scheduled group-stage matches starting June 11, 2026. The opener is against MEX. See the full fixtures list below for every kickoff time and venue.
What group is South Africa in at the World Cup 2026?
South Africa is in Group A alongside Mexico, South Korea, Czechia. The top two from each group advance to the Round of 32, plus the 8 best 3rd-placed teams across all 12 groups.
What is South Africa's FIFA ranking?
South Africa entered the FIFA World Cup 2026 ranked #56 in the FIFA World Ranking. This places them in the wider qualifier pool. Rankings update through the qualification cycle.
Can South Africa win the World Cup 2026?
South Africa's pre-tournament strength rating is 60/100, derived from FIFA ranking, recent form, and squad depth. They are tournament debutants or lower-ranked qualifiers; reaching the second round would be a notable achievement. Try them in the bracket predictor to test your scenario.