South Africa clinches World Cup knockout spot with 1‑0 win over South Korea

In Monterrey, Mexico, South Africa defeated South Korea 1‑0 in the final Group A match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, securing second place and advancing to the round of 16. The victory ends a 16‑year wait since the 2010 tournament, when the host nation failed to progress beyond the group stage. South Africa will meet Canada in Los Angeles in the next round.

The win sparked spontaneous celebrations across South Africa, with thousands of fans taking to the streets in pajamas and night‑clothes to mark the historic qualification. The match, the first World Cup encounter between the two nations, was closely contested, with South Korea needing a win to advance while South Africa required a victory after an earlier draw with the Czech Republic.