The general consensus appears to be that Bafana Bafana are in a comfortable group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Bafana Bafana are placed in Group A alongside hosts Mexico and South Korea, while Denmark are favourites to win the play-offs and join this group.
“It’s not an easy one. First of all, you have to play the first game of the tournament against Mexico in Azteca Stadium, a home game for Mexico, so it will be very tough for us that game,” warns Hugo Broos, the Bafana Bafana coach.
In terms of FIFA rankings, Bafana Bafana (61st) are no match for Mexico (15) and South Korea (22), while yet-to-qualify Denmark are in fact 21st in the world.
“Secondly, we have South Korea. So from that point, I was happy with Mexico and South Korea, and I hope the last one is something else than what we have now. So now we will probably also have Denmark in our group.
“So we have Mexico and Denmark, two very big teams. So it will be difficult for us to be in second or first. But on the other side now, with the new World Cup, the first eight of the third places can go through.
“So we have to focus on that, and maybe we can be one of the best first and third places.”
Broos added, “I think it will be difficult at the World Cup, so we don’t have to forget that. It should have been better if the last draw of our group had been another team. Now we have Denmark, probably.
“We have Mexico first game; I can’t say we will win. This will be very difficult, so maybe the first game you lose, and then it’s already a game that you have to win. So it’s not so easy, but on the other side, I think it will be a very good experience for our team. It’s something we need to play against those teams.”
Bafana Bafana have met Denmark and Mexico in the global showpiece, with both encounters ending 1-1 in 1998 and 2010, respectively.
“We will learn a lot, certainly, and we will see in football everything is possible. We will go for it. We will, like we did the last two or three years, fight for it, and we will see where we are at.”
