Bafana Bafana’s 2026 World Cup Journey: What South Africans need to know

If 2010 taught us anything (and as Philip will remind us), it's that feeling the football gees is everything - and we're getting ready to feel it again!

Now, almost 16 years later, Bafana Bafana have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It's a significant milestone that passionate local football fans have been eagerly awaiting.

Because, if there's one thing we South Africans are known for, it's our ability to unite behind our sporting teams. Bokke fever often hits epic proportions - now it's time to prepare for Bafana Bafana to carry the gees baton!   

Your 2026 World Cup Planning Guide 

The momentous qualification means many of us, whether we avidly watch football or not, are now considering how to plan that perfect 2026 FIFA World Cup experience - and get up to speed on why this one is a real game-changer. 

It's already shaping up to be the biggest and most ambitious one yet - with 48 teams (up from 32 in Qatar 2022 World Cup) expected to participate.  

Newsflash: The FIFA World Cup is just on eight months away! Not much time to save those dollar-dollar bills to attend. 

ALSO SEE: Best Spots for Live Sports Event Gees in Cape Town!  

Where is it taking place:

The 2026 World Cup will be hosted across three countries, a first in the tournament's history:

• United States
• Canada
• Mexico 

When is the Kick-off? 

The kick-off is on Thursday, 11 June 2026, and wraps up with the final on Sunday, 19 July.

• Mexico: Guadalajara, Monterrey, Mexico City (opening match at iconic Estadio Azteca)
• Canada: Toronto and Vancouver - their first time hosting
• United States: 11 cities including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle

All quarter-finals and onward matches will be played in the US, with the grand finale at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Mark your calendars for the Main Draw: 5 December 2025, Washington D.C.

This is when the 48 teams will be split into 12 groups (A–L). Fans will finally see who Bafana Bafana might face on their path to the final. It’s the moment when tournament dreams start to feel real.

Who else has qualified so far?

The remaining CONCACAF spots are still up for grabs, alongside inter-confederation playoff winners, according to the Premier League.

Hosts USA, Canada, and Mexico automatically qualify. Already confirmed are 25 countries, including newcomers Cape Verde, Jordan, and Uzbekistan. 

• AFC (Asia): Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Uzbekistan
• CAF (Africa): Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia
• CONMEBOL (South America): Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay
• OFC (Oceania): New Zealand
• UEFA (Europe): England (plus others via playoff; total 16 teams)

Other key dates to plan around:

• Group stages: 11–27 June
• Round of 32: 28 June–3 July
• Round of 16: 4–7 July
• Quarter-finals: 9–11 July
• Semi-finals: 14–15 July
• Third-place playoff: 18 July
• Final: 19 July 

For a country that hosted in 2010, it's taken us a long time to come full circle. This time around, Bafana Bafana will need all the support they can get, as the 2026 tournament is set to be one for the history books. Let's go!