Let’s be realistic, can Bafana Bafana actually make it out of their group?

Bafana Bafana have never advanced beyond the group stage at a FIFA World Cup; therefore, the obvious question is: Will it be any different in 2026?

The one thing counting in Bafana’s favour in their fourth appearance at a FIFA World Cup is the new expanded format.

This year’s FIFA will be particularly kind to those sides that are unable to stand out right from the start.

As usual, the top two teams from the 12 groups will advance to the next round. However, for the first time, the eight best third-placed sides will also advance. It will be a new Round of 32 knockout stage.

Bafana’s Best Chance to Advance: Navigating Group A in the FIFA World Cup

That means that after the first group stage of the FIFA World Cup, only 16 teams will be eliminated (the 12 last-place finishers in each group plus four third-placed teams).

Honestly, it’s the best chance Bafana have ever had of making it beyond the group stage stage,hat’s purely from a statistical standpoint.

Of course, that’s easier said than done, but avoiding the bottom spot in the group stage of the FIFA World Cup has never meant anything tangible until now.

Bafana will still have their work cut out, though. Drawn in Group A alongside Mexico, Korea Republic, and Czechia (Czech Republic), it’s difficult to see how Bafana will overcome these sides.

Mexico are 15th in the FIFA world rankings, Korea Republic are 25th, and Czechia are 41st.Where is Bafana ranked? 60th.

It means the matches against Mexico and Korea, Bafana will be expected to lose, and even a draw in either of those clashes would be a good result.

Even against Czechia, Bafana will be heavy underdogs, and a stalemate could be the best they could hope for.

Fortunately for Bafana, games of football aren’t fought on paper, and the rankings won’t matter on match day.

If they can just manage to avoid the wooden spoon in their group, the odds will be in their favour to make history.

@Michael_Sherman

IOL Sport