South Africa at the FIFA World Cup - Three Group Stage Exits

John Eastwood

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Last updated: 25 May 2026

John Eastwood 25 May 2026

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South Africa has competed at three FIFA World Cups (1998, 2002, 2010).
Best finish: 3rd in group, never reached knockouts; hosted the 2010 tournament.
Hoping for a breakthrough in 2026 under coach Hugo Broos.

Expired

Siphiwe Tshabalala scored South Africa's famous goal in the 2010 World Cup opening match (Getty Images).

South Africa at the FIFA World Cup

South Africa’s FIFA World Cup history is relatively short because the country was banned from international football during the apartheid regime.
South Africa at the FIFA World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup – First Appearance
2002 FIFA World Cup – Closest to the Knockouts
2010 FIFA World Cup – Hosts of the Tournament
Overall World Cup Legacy

Since returning to global football in the 1990s, Bafana Bafana have appeared at three FIFA World Cups: 1998, 2002, and 2010 (as hosts).

Year	Matches	Wins	Draws	Losses	Goals Scored	Goals Conceded	Stage Reached
1998	3	0	1	2	3	6	Group Stage
2002	3	1	1	1	5	5	Group Stage
2010	3	1	1	1	3	5	Group Stage
Total	9	2	3	4	11	16

1998 FIFA World Cup – First Appearance

South Africa made their FIFA World Cup debut in France in 1998 under coach Philippe Troussier, who took over shortly before the tournament from caretaker coach Jomo Sono.

Bafana Bafana lost 3–0 to hosts France in their opening match but recovered well with a 1–1 draw against Denmark and a respectable 2–2 draw against Saudi Arabia. They finished third in the group and were eliminated in the first round.

Goalscorers

Benni McCarthy – 2 goals

Shaun Bartlett – 1 goal

Final Position: Eliminated in the Group Stage

2002 FIFA World Cup – Closest to the Knockouts

The 2002 tournament remains South Africa’s best World Cup performance statistically. Under coach Jomo Sono, the team beat Slovenia 1–0, drew 2–2 with Paraguay, and lost 3–2 to Spain.

South Africa finished level on points and goal difference with Paraguay but were eliminated on goals scored in one of the tightest group-stage finishes in World Cup history.

Goalscorers

Benni McCarthy – 2 goals

Quinton Fortune – 1 goal

Siyabonga Nomvethe – 1 goal

Teboho Mokoena – 1 goal

Final Position: Eliminated in the Group Stage (3rd place in group)

2010 FIFA World Cup – Hosts of the Tournament

South Africa became the first African nation to host the FIFA World Cup in 2010. Coached by Carlos Alberto Parreira, Bafana Bafana opened the tournament with a memorable 1–1 draw against Mexico, featuring Siphiwe Tshabalala’s famous opening goal.

They then lost 3–0 to Uruguay as Itumeleng Khune was sent off, before defeating France 2–1 in their final match. Despite the victory, South Africa became the first host nation in World Cup history to be eliminated in the group stage.

Goalscorers

Siphiwe Tshabalala – 1 goal

Katlego Mphela – 1 goal

Bongani Khumalo – 1 goal

Final Position - Eliminated in the Group Stage

Overall World Cup Legacy

Although South Africa have never reached the knockout rounds, they have produced several memorable World Cup moments, including hosting the first FIFA World Cup in Africa in 2010.

Bafana Bafana are still seeking their first appearance in the FIFA World Cup knockout stages and will hope to achieve that under coach Hugo Broos in 2026.

They have been drawn alongside co-hosts, Mexico, as well as Denmark and Czechia in the Group Stages.