What next for Bafana and Fifa World Cup 2026 qualifiers

SOUTH Africa's 23-year wait for automatic qualification to a FIFA World Cup has been a mixture of triumphs and setbacks, and the final round of qualifying matches in October has become the most crucial step in Bafana Bafana's pursuit of this long-awaited achievement.

- OBAKENG MELETSE

The setback came off the field on Monday, when South Africa were docked three points and their 2-0 win against Lesotho in March was overturned to a 3-0 loss.

The South African Football Association (Safa), the custodian of football in the country, handed a R215 000 fine for negligence after team manager Vincent Tseka failed to account for midfielder Teboho Mokoena's suspension. Mokoena was not supposed to play against Lesotho in March, having picked up two yellow cards in previous matches.

For much of this campaign, coach Hugo Broos and his Bafana side had been in control, navigating a rare qualifying run with an unusual degree of consistency, which saw them top Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.