JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – Bafana Bafana touched down at OR Tambo International Airport to a massive hero’s welcome, capping off a historic 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign that saw the South African men’s national team reach the knockout stages for the very first time.
Thousands of passionate supporters gathered to celebrate the squad’s unprecedented achievement of advancing to the last 32 of the global tournament. The emotional homecoming was marked by a media briefing held in Johannesburg, where team captain Ronwen Williams expressed his deep gratitude to the nation.
Addressing the media on Thursday, Williams highlighted the profound impact of the country’s unity and unwavering backing throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“Thank you everyone for your support and for this incredible welcome,” Williams stated. “To experience the unity of the country at a moment like this is amazing. The prayers, the support and all the well wishes that were sent our way meant so much to us as a team. We went out there carrying the support, love and belief of millions of South Africans.”
The remarkable journey for South African football concluded on Sunday with a narrow 1-0 defeat against tournament co-hosts Canada. The elimination match took place at Los Angeles Stadium, ending the team’s historic run in the last-32 round.
Despite the heartbreaking exit, the mood remained overwhelmingly positive as the team reflected on their growth. Williams praised the long-term development of the squad under head coach Hugo Broos, noting that their success on the world stage was a testament to years of dedication.
“It’s been a wonderful journey. When we look back at how far we’ve come as a team, especially under Coach Hugo Broos, we can be proud,” Williams shared. “This achievement at the World Cup is the cherry on top because we’ve been doing excellent work for a long time. We’re just proud and happy that the country is happy.”
Head coach Hugo Broos echoed his captain’s sentiments, expressing immense satisfaction with the team’s overall performance and their ability to meet their pre-tournament objectives.
“It was not easy, but we made it. It is historic for South African football that the team reached the second round of the World Cup, and that was our goal from the beginning,” Broos explained. “We worked hard. It was not easy, but we succeeded. That’s the most important thing.”
Looking ahead, Broos emphasized that the invaluable experience gained during the 2026 FIFA World Cup will serve as a crucial stepping stone for future competitions, specifically the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
“That has to be our next objective. And, of course, we want to qualify again for the 2030 World Cup,” Broos stated. “I think if South Africa can achieve that over the next three or four years, you will immediately see how far South African football has progressed.”
The Belgian tactician noted that the intense pressure and high stakes of global competition accelerate player development, a factor that will undoubtedly benefit the squad moving forward.
“When you’re competing at that level, you learn a lot, and you learn quickly. I think that’s exactly what happened to us at this World Cup,” Broos concluded.
