Saturday | November 18, 2023
The race to secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA (Federation of International Football Association) World Cup in North America is in full throttle.
South Africa (SA) senior men’s team welcomes Benin in Group C at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban this afternoon.
Kick off for this highly anticipated fixture is at 15h00 (SAT).
This group under the umbrella of CAF (Confederation of African Football) also features Nigeria, Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
On Wednesday, Nov. 15, Wanda’s clash against Zimbabwe produced a goalless draw in Butare, Rwanda, at Stade Huye. Meanwhile on Thursday, Lesotho held Nigeria 1-1 on its visit at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Nigeria.
The 2026 world cup 3dition will be held in three countries – the United States of America, Canada and Mexico in the northern hemisphere of the Americas.
This is the first time ever in the history of FIFA that the world cup is hosted by three countries. Previously, Japan and South Korea had a joint responsibility in 2002 which Brazil won.
There will also be departure from the traditional 32 participants to 48 countries in 2026 which is an addition of 16 countries. It will open more opportunities for underrepresented continents like Africa which had merely five (5) spots and now it will have nine (9), up by four places.
All nine countries finishing on top of the nine groups will qualify for the FIFA 2026 World Cup automatically. Additionally, the best four runner ups will contest further in a mini-tournament for the final world cup spot. This, in the end, will make African teams 10 in total in the new format (consisting of 48 countries) of this mega event.
Viewed differently, Bafana Bafana (SA) may stake a claim for a berth in this 2026 edition. Although Benin has never qualified to play at this Level, SA featured for the first in 1998 in France which was eventually won by France.
Subsequent to that, they were in Korea-Japan in 2002 and were the 2010 hosts when Spain lifted the global trophy in football at its zenith. Since then, Bafana Bafana failed to qualify.
Sunday | Nov. 19 FIFA WC Group C 1st Round Fixture:
Zimbabwe vs Nigeria at Stade Huye (Butare, Rwanda) – 15:00
Tuesday | Nov. 21 FIFA WC Group C 1st Round Fixtures:
Rwanda vs South Africa at Stade Huye (Butare, Rwanda) – 15h00
Lesotho vs Benin at Moses Mabhida Stadium (Durban, SA) – 15:00