South Africa legend Benni McCarthy says the national team can make a strong impact at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence in both the squad and coaching staff ahead of the tournament.
Bafana Bafana are preparing for their return to the global stage, having last appeared at the World Cup in 2010 when they hosted the tournament. Their previous qualification before that came in 2002, making this upcoming participation a significant milestone for the team.
McCarthy believes the current setup under head coach Hugo Broos provides a solid foundation for success. The Belgian tactician has already guided South Africa to notable achievements, including qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations and a run to the semi-finals in 2023.
“Listen, I think we can do it, man. We have a world-class coach, the first coach to help us qualify for the AFCON [in a long time] and took us to the semi-final [in 2023] and qualified for the World Cup,” McCarthy said.
He highlighted Broos’ experience at international level as a key factor, pointing to his previous success on the continent.
“So, he came with a pedigree [having won AFCON with Cameroon], and he has proven it. So, we have a good team, a world-class coach, Orlando Pirates, and Mamelodi Sundowns as the winning teams fighting for the title [Betway Premiership]. Hopefully, this goes to the wire.”
McCarthy also underlined the importance of strong domestic competition in supporting the national team. Clubs such as Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns were cited as examples of high-performing sides contributing to the overall quality of players available for selection.
He stressed that the competitive environment in South African football could play a role in preparing players for the demands of international tournaments.
“With those two teams, how can we go wrong? I’m pure South African, and I’m optimistic. A lot of people think I’m sceptical because I’m not the coach of Bafana, but when we don’t have success, it hurts me as much as it hurts every single one of you. We were all born in this country, and we feel it more than anyone else.”
South Africa’s return to the World Cup represents an opportunity to re-establish themselves on the global stage. With a blend of experienced coaching and a competitive domestic league, expectations are gradually building around what the team could achieve.
While the challenge of facing top international opposition remains significant, McCarthy’s comments reflect growing belief that Bafana Bafana can compete and deliver a credible performance at the tournament.
