South Africa have secured their spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a commanding 3–0 win over Rwanda saw them finish top of their qualifying group. Nigeria, despite a 4–0 triumph over Benin inspired by a Victor Osimhen hat-trick, were forced to settle for second place and a route through the CAF playoffs.
Bafana Bafana’s qualification marks their first World Cup appearance since 2010, when they participated as hosts. Goals from Thalente Mbatha and Oswin Appollis inside the opening 12 minutes put South Africa in control in Mbombela, before Evidence Makgopa sealed the win with a second-half strike.
Earlier in the campaign, South Africa were docked three points by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for fielding an ineligible player, but Hugo Broos’s side recovered impressively to finish above Benin, who slipped to third after their heavy defeat in Nigeria.
In Uyo, the Super Eagles needed to overcome a three-point deficit and improve their goal difference to overtake South Africa. Osimhen’s first-half brace gave them hope, and the Galatasaray forward completed his hat-trick six minutes after the break. Frank Onyeka’s stoppage-time goal ensured a 4–0 win, but it wasn’t enough to top the group.
Nigeria will now compete in the CAF playoffs alongside the three other best second-placed teams from the nine qualifying groups. Those sides will face off in semifinal and final rounds, with the winner advancing to an intercontinental playoff for a potential 10th African World Cup berth.
The playoff stage is scheduled for November 10–18.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, featuring an expanded field that will include nine confirmed African nations.
