They are not great teams – Benni McCarthy’s Bold World Cup Prediction
South African football legend Benni McCarthy has voiced immense confidence in Bafana Bafana’s prospects as they prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The South Africans have been drawn in Group A alongside Mexico, South Korea, and Czechia, a group that many analysts have labeled a “group of death” for the lowest-ranked side in the pool.
Despite the daunting task on paper, McCarthy believes the draw has actually been kind to the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations winners. While Bafana Bafana currently sits at 60th in the FIFA world rankings, significantly lower than Mexico (15th), South Korea (25th), and Czechia (41st),the former FC Porto and Blackburn Rovers striker insists that the psychological gap is much smaller than the numbers suggest.
South Africa are looking to build on recent continental success, having reached the AFCON semi-finals in 2024 and the Round of 16 in the most recent edition.
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The opening match against Mexico on June 11 is already being circled as a season-defining moment for South African football. The spotlight is firmly on Broos as he prepares to announce the squad that will carry the hopes of millions. For McCarthy, the key lies in the identity of the opposition and the fact that Bafana has avoided the traditional giants of the game in the opening round.
“I think we have a good chance, a very good chance because Mexico is a good team, South Korea is a good team, Czech a good team, but they are not great teams,” a confident McCarthy insisted, speaking with KICK OFF Magazine.
Can Bafana Bafana defy the FIFA rankings?
McCarthy’s perspective is rooted in the idea of tournament pedigree and the intimidation factor associated with former champions. The current Kenya national team coach argues that facing teams who have never lifted the World Cup trophy provides a level playing field.
“They are not teams that have won World Cups. So, I would rather play those teams than face France, Germany and all the other big nations. Those are great teams,” said McCarthy. “Those are teams that know what it is to win a World Cup. So, we are in a fortunate position that we have modest teams. Yes, they are all good in their own way, but so are Bafana. We are also good in our own way.”
Is the quality gap narrower than experts suggest?
The all-time leading goalscorer for South Africa emphasized that the current crop of players possesses the necessary quality to compete at the highest level. By referencing their recent AFCON runs, he highlighted that the squad has developed a “pedigree” of its own.
McCarthy was blunt about the reality of facing European heavyweights, suggesting that the current group provides a genuine “fighting chance” that wouldn’t exist against the world’s elite.
“So, I would rather our players face South Korea and Mexico than have to play against England or Germany in the same group,” he added.
“Not that I’m being disrespectful, but you just know, us against Germany, against England, it’s the reality, we have no chance. We are three points down already. But against South Korea, against Mexico, I don’t know. It can go any way. If we play like we know we can play, we beat Mexico and South Korea. So, there we have a fighting chance.”
