South Africa secured a spot in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup by beating South Korea 1-0 in a tense final Group A match on Thursday.

Bafana Bafana entered the match needing a win to qualify, after earning just one point from their first two games against Mexico and Czechia.

South Korea made a brighter start, with Min-jae Kim and Lee Kang-in both going close inside the opening 10 minutes, but South Africa weathered the early pressure.

South Africa settled into the game and almost scored midway through the first half, but Evidence Makgopa’s strong shot was saved by goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu.

The key moment came in the 63rd minute when Tshepang Moremi set up Thapelo Maseko, who finished calmly to put South Africa ahead.

South Korea pressed for an equaliser late in the game, but South Africa’s defence stayed strong to secure the important win.

With this win, South Africa finished second in Group A behind Mexico, who beat Czechia in the other match.

This result is a historic milestone, as Bafana Bafana have reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time ever.