WATCH | Bafana Bafana return home to heroes’ welcome after historic World Cup run

Johannesburg – Bafana Bafana received a hero’s welcome on their return home on Thursday after making history by reaching the FIFA World Cup knockout stage for the first time.

⚽️ 𝔹𝔸𝔽𝔸ℕ𝔸 𝔹𝔸𝔽𝔸ℕ𝔸 ℍ𝕆𝕄𝔼 𝔸ℝℝ𝕀𝕍𝔸𝕃 🛬

🇿🇦 A heroic welcome for Bafana Bafana at the OR Tambo International Airport! 😍

📺 SABC Sport | SABC 2
💻 https://t.co/26PdrPrnVE
📰 https://t.co/LBeIFsaMRu#SABCSportFootball #AllOfUsAllInKaofela #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/67HNH6cF5Z

— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) July 2, 2026

Hundreds of jubilant supporters packed the international arrivals hall at OR Tambo International Airport before dawn on Thursday, cheering the national team after a campaign that reignited belief in South African football.

⚽️ 𝔹𝔸𝔽𝔸ℕ𝔸 𝔹𝔸𝔽𝔸ℕ𝔸 ℍ𝕆𝕄𝔼 𝔸ℝℝ𝕀𝕍𝔸𝕃 🛬

🇿🇦 Bafana Bafana have officially touched down at the OR Tambo International Airport!

📺 SABC Sport | SABC 2
💻 https://t.co/26PdrPrnVE
📰 https://t.co/LBeIFsaMRu#SABCSportFootball #AllOfUsAllInKaofela #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/nEvlsfueni

— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) July 2, 2026

South Africa’s historic run ended with a narrow 1-0 defeat to co-hosts Canada in the Round of 32 in Los Angeles on Sunday.

[WATCH] Sport Minister Gayton McKenzie is jubilant as he joins #BafanaBafana supporters at the O.R. Tambo International Airport to welcome the team on its return from the #WorldCup2026. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/peGBChP2RF

— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) July 2, 2026

Despite the loss, Bafana exceeded expectations by finishing second in their group to qualify automatically for the knockout stages, marking the country’s best-ever World Cup performance after also ending a 24-year wait to qualify for the tournament on merit.

[WATCH]

Bafana Bafana fans came in numbers to welcome the team from the World Cup. #MorningLive #SABCNews #bafanasabcnews pic.twitter.com/1ZGYI3GPOo

— SABCNews_MorningLive (@MorningLiveSABC) July 2, 2026