Fifa post hints at early qualification boost for Bafana Bafana
Fifa World Cup 2026 Qualifiers
Fifa suggested on social media that Bafana Bafana, coached by Hugo Broos (left), could secure World Cup qualification against Nigeria, though a pending disciplinary ruling may yet complicate matters. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Bafana Bafana’s 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying campaign might have received a major boost after the governing body's cryptic post ahead of their qualifier on Tuesday night.
Bafana will host Nigeria at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein in a 6pm kick-off, holding a five-point lead on top of Group C, while the Super Eagles are third on the log and six points behind.
On paper, if Bafana beat the Super Eagles and Benin fail to get past Lesotho in the other qualifier to be played at 9pm on Tuesday, that would guarantee them automatic qualification for the World Cup. However, they might not be home and dry just yet.
FIFA still have to make a ruling on the fielding of Teboho Mokoena, who was suspended when Bafana hosted Lesotho in a 2-0 win in Polokwane in March. The likely outcome of the contravention of the disciplinary code is Bafana being docked three points and being handed a 3-0 defeat.
This is why many believed that their qualification status would be confirmed after the last two qualifiers next month. But before the game here in the City of Roses, Fifa sent a cryptic post on X— formerly known as Twitter — on CAF qualifying games, including Bafana against Nigeria.
“Two more teams could secure Fifa World Cup 2026 qualification today,” the governing body wrote. “Egypt will qualify if they beat Burkina Faso, while South Africa will qualify if they beat Nigeria, and Benin fail to beat Lesotho.”
Should Fifa still go ahead and dock Bafana three points, they’d still automatically qualify for the World Cup if they win all their remaining games.