Bafana Bafana World Cup Daily: Arrival in Atlanta for Czechia
Bafana Bafana 2026 FIFA World Cup daily for Wednesday, 17 June: Get the latest news, fixtures, squad updates, and tournament permutations.
Black News 
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is finally here and this is your daily one-stop destination for everything Bafana Bafana.
From fixtures and squad updates to qualification permutations, historical records and World Cup trivia, we’ve got South Africa covered.
BAFANA BAFANA TOUCH DOWN IN ATLANTA AHEAD OF CZECHIA SHOWDOWN
South Africa have landed in Atlanta after departing Mexico ahead of Thursday’s crucial FIFA World Cup Group A clash against Czechia at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, kick off will be at 18:00.
Final Group A Fixture
- 25 June 2026
- South Africa vs South Korea
- Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe, Mexico
- 03:00 SAST.
HOW SOUTH AFRICA CAN STILL MAKE THE NEXT ROUND
- Finish top two for automatic safety.
- Beat Czechia on Thursday.
- Avoid defeat against South Korea.
- Target four to six total points.
- Aim for a best third-place spot.
- Keep a positive goal difference.
DID YOU KNOW?
- South Africa secured automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by defeating which country 3-0 in their final group match? Rwanda.
- Hugo Broos is the Belgian head coach who successfully ended Bafana Bafana’s 24-year drought of qualifying for a World Cup on merit? True (their last direct qualification was in 2002; they participated in 2010 as automatic hosts)
- South Africca will face which co-host country in their highly anticipated opening group match of the 2026 World Cup? Mexico.
- Which legendary striker scored South Africa’s first-ever goal in a FIFA World Cup match back in 1998?Benni McCarthy (against Denmark).
- South Africa famously defeated which former World Cup champions 2-1 during the 2010 World Cup group stage? France.
WHO IS IN THE BAFANA BAFANA WORLD CUP SQUAD?
Goalkeepers
- Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)
- Ricardo Goss (Siwelele FC)
Defenders
- Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City)
- Khulumani Ndamane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs)
- Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire, USA)
- Samukele Kabini (Molde FK, Norway)
- Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates)
- Ime Okon (Hannover 96, Germany)
- Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union, USA)
- Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates)
Midfielders
- Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- Sphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela, Portugal)
- Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates)
Forwards
- Lyle Foster (Burnley, England)
- Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates)
- Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol, Cyprus)
- Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates)
- Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates)
- Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates)
- Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns).
HOW HAVE BAFANA PERFORMED AT PREVIOUS WORLD CUPS?
France 1998
- Lost 3-0 vs France
- Drew 1-1 vs Denmark
- Drew 2-2 vs Saudi Arabia
Finish: Third
Korea/Japan 2002
- Drew 2-2 vs Paraguay
- Beat Slovenia 1-0
- Lost 3-2 vs Spain
Finish: Third
South Africa 2010
- Drew 1-1 vs Mexico
- Lost 3-0 vs Uruguay
- Beat France 2-1
Finish: Third
Russia 2018
Did not qualify
Qatar 2022
Did not qualify.
WHO IS BAFANA BAFANA’S PLAYER TO WATCH?
- Mbekezeli Mbokazi
- Age: 20
- Club: Chicago Fire
- Position: Central defender
Mbokazi arrived at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of Bafana Bafana’s most exciting young prospects following his move to Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire. The towering centre-back has built a reputation for his composure on the ball, aerial strength and ability to read the game beyond his years.
Having broken through at club level and earned the trust of the national team coaching staff, Mbokazi is expected to play a key role in Bafana Bafana’s defence. His blend of physicality, calmness in possession and leadership potential has made him one of South Africa’s standout emerging talents.
