Johannesburg – South Africa have booked their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010, while Nigeria secured a play-off spot after finishing second in Group C of the African qualifiers.
The Bafana Bafana sealed their qualification with a commanding 3-0 win over Rwanda on the final matchday, finishing top of Group C with 18 points. Goals from Thalente Mbatha, Oswin Appollis, and Evidence Makgopa ensured victory for South Africa, who will make their fourth appearance at the global tournament.
For Nigeria, a 4-0 triumph over Benin Republic kept their World Cup hopes alive. Victor Osimhen scored a hat-trick, and Frank Onyeka added a late goal to guarantee the Super Eagles a place in the African play-offs as one of the four best second-placed teams.
The final round of Group C offered plenty of drama. Heading into the last fixtures, Benin led the group by two points, with South Africa and Nigeria trailing closely behind. South Africa’s early goals against Rwanda pushed them into first place, while Osimhen’s opener in the third minute briefly lifted Nigeria to the top before Bafana Bafana reclaimed it with Mbatha’s quick response.
The results meant Nigeria missed out on automatic qualification for the second consecutive World Cup, having also failed to reach Qatar 2022. They will now compete in a mini play-off tournament consisting of two semi-finals and a final, with the winner advancing to FIFA’s inter-confederation play-offs.
South Africa’s journey was not without controversy. Last month, FIFA deducted three points from their tally and annulled their 2-0 victory over Lesotho after midfielder Teboho Mokoena was found to have played despite being suspended for accumulating two yellow cards in earlier matches. The decision temporarily dropped South Africa behind Benin, but the team recovered in their remaining games to claim top spot.
The qualification marks a significant milestone for South African football. Since their debut in 1998, the team has featured at three World Cups—1998, 2002, and 2010—but has never progressed beyond the group stage.
For Nigeria, the win over Benin offers a glimmer of hope. The team has experienced a turbulent qualifying campaign marked by coaching changes and off-field instability. Former coach José Peseiro left after the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, and subsequent managerial changes disrupted the team’s rhythm. Under current coach Eric Chelle, the Super Eagles remain unbeaten but have drawn several matches that cost them crucial points.
Nigeria will now await confirmation of their play-off opponents as they aim to secure a seventh World Cup appearance. South Africa join Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Ghana, and Cape Verde as the seven African teams confirmed for the 2026 World Cup.
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