What we know so far
South Africa’s men’s national football team has reached the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cup for the first time.
Bafana Bafana beat South Korea 1-0 in their final Group A match on 24 June 2026, played at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico. The match kicked off in the early hours of 25 June South African time.
Thapelo Maseko scored the only goal in the 63rd minute. The forward took a low cross from substitute Tshepang Moremi and finished with his left foot past goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu.
The win lifted South Africa to second place in Group A on four points, behind Mexico, who won all three of their group games.
Goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams kept a clean sheet to protect the lead. South Korea finished third and now await news of whether they progress as one of the best third-placed teams.
South Africa had needed a win to advance. The result secured a place in the round of 32 and a meeting with Canada.
Why it matters
This is the first time South Africa has progressed beyond the group stage at a men’s World Cup. The team had previously failed to advance in 1998, 2002, and as host nation in 2010.
The achievement carries particular weight given how the tournament began. South Africa lost their opening match 2-0 to Mexico, then earned a 1-1 draw with Czechia before this decisive victory.
The goal also marked a historic moment in itself. According to Opta, it was the first time South Africa had led in a World Cup match since their 2-1 win over France in June 2010.
South Africa became the seventh African nation to reach the knockout stage of a World Cup, according to Opta.
The win came against the odds on the day. South Africa held just 31 percent possession, their lowest in any World Cup match, yet created the clearer chances and defended resolutely.
For coach Hugo Broos, the result extends a career nearing its end. The 74-year-old is set to retire after the tournament, and the victory guarantees him at least one more match in charge.
Key details and figures
Maseko led all players with five shots and was central to South Africa’s attacking threat. He has now taken eight shots across the tournament, the most in the squad.
The match statistics showed a contrast in styles. South Korea dominated the ball with 69 percent possession but managed only eight shots, while South Africa registered 14 shots from their limited time in possession.
South Korea introduced captain Son Heung-min at half-time rather than starting him, a decision coach Hong Myung-bo publicly reflected on afterwards. Son could not change the outcome.
South Africa’s defensive effort was central to the result. Williams and the back line, including Aubrey Modiba, who cleared an early header off the line, kept South Korea at bay despite sustained second-half pressure.
The goal was Maseko’s first at a World Cup. The 22-year-old, who moved to Cypriot club AEL Limassol earlier in 2026, was widely described in match reports as having scored one of the most significant goals in South African football history.
South Africa finished the group with one win, one draw, and one defeat, enough for second place behind an unbeaten Mexico.
What happens next
South Africa will face Canada in the round of 32. The match is scheduled for Sunday, 28 June 2026, in the United States.
Canada finished second in Group B and will provide the next test as South Africa look to extend their run deeper into the tournament.
For Broos, the knockout fixture may be among his final matches in charge before his planned retirement. The team will look to build on the momentum of back-to-back results that turned their campaign around.
South Korea’s progress is no longer in their own hands. Whether they advance depends on results in other groups, with eight of the 12 third-placed teams reaching the knockout round.
