Bafana Bafana fixtures – 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

Bafana Bafana fixtures – 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Credit: Icon Sport

Bafana Bafana fixtures – Hugo Broos‘ determined squad is set to embark on a challenging journey in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers as South Africa find themselves in Group C alongside Nigeria, Benin, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, and Lesotho.

The draw, which divided the 54 member associations of CAF into nine groups of six teams each, sets the stage for an intense battle for qualification.

In this fiercely contested group, each team will face one another twice, both at home and away, culminating in a total of 10 matches for each participating nation.

The stakes are high as the ultimate goal for these teams is to secure a coveted spot in the FIFA World Cup, hosted jointly by the United States of America, Canada, and Mexico.

The road to qualification comes with an added layer of suspense, as only the nine group winners will earn an automatic ticket to the World Cup.

Meanwhile, the journey doesn't end for the four best group runners-up, who will enter a play-off stage.

This stage will determine CAF's representative at the FIFA play-off tournament, intensifying the competition and adding an extra layer of drama to the qualification process.

As the Bafana Bafana gear up for this demanding qualification campaign, fans can anticipate an electrifying series of Bafana Bafana fixtures that will test the mettle of the team and showcase the resilience of African football on the global stage.

The battle for Group C promises to be a spectacle of skill, strategy, and determination as each team vies for the chance to shine on the world's biggest footballing platform.

Bafana Bafana fixtures – 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

Bafana Bafana fixtures for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will kick off with an intense face-off against Benin on November 18, 2023, marking the commencement of their challenging 10-match journey in Group C.

Date Opponent Matchday
Sat, Nov 18, 2023 Benin Matchday 1 of 10
Tue, Nov 21, 2023 Rwanda Matchday 2 of 10
Jun 3, 2024 Nigeria Matchday 3 of 10
Jun 10, 2024 Zimbabwe Matchday 4 of 10
Mar 17, 2025 Lesotho Matchday 5 of 10
Mar 24, 2025 Benin Matchday 6 of 10
Sep 1, 2025 Lesotho Matchday 7 of 10
Sep 8, 2025 South Africa Matchday 8 of 10
Oct 6, 2025 Zimbabwe Matchday 9 of 10
Oct 13, 2025 Rwanda Matchday 10 of 10

 

This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago

Rababe Koussaimi, a 22-year-old journalist, is deeply passionate about the world of sports. She grew up in a footballing environment, supporting both Bayern Munich and Wydad Athletic Club. She began her English journalism career by hosting a podcast for the first English radio station in Morocco. Currently, the Moroccan journalist channels her enthusiasm into writing and conducting extensive research, creating insightful and engaging content for GoalBall Live readers.