Country profile
South Africa
Republic of South Africa
Key facts
Capital
Pretoria
Population
60,400,000
Confederation
CAF
FIFA code
RSA
Overview
South Africa, the Rainbow Nation at the southern tip of the continent, is a country of staggering diversity — eleven official languages, dramatic coastlines, sweeping savannah and the bustling energy of Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Football, known affectionately as the home of the vuvuzela and lively township passion, sits at the heart of the nation's sporting identity alongside rugby and cricket. The domestic PSL is one of Africa's wealthiest and most-watched leagues.
Bafana Bafana carry the emotional weight of a footballing public that fell in love with the game during the unforgettable summer of 2010.
Football culture
Matchdays are loud, colourful celebrations powered by song, dance and the unmistakable drone of the vuvuzela. Giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates fuel the fierce Soweto Derby, one of Africa's biggest rivalries. The PSL draws huge crowds and serious investment.
World Cup history
South Africa became the first African nation to host the World Cup in 2010, but exited at the group stage despite beating France. They won AFCON on home soil in 1996, their golden generation's crowning glory. Qualification for 2026 ends a long wait for a return to the global showpiece.
Location
Did you know
- First African nation to host a FIFA World Cup, in 2010.
- The vuvuzela became the global soundtrack of 2010.
- Home to three of Africa's biggest football clubs.
- Nelson Mandela used sport as a powerful tool for unity.
- Bafana Bafana means 'The Boys, The Boys' in Zulu.
From Wikipedia
Republic of South Africa fields one of the 48 national teams contesting the 2026 FIFA World Cup across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Source: Wikipedia →