The Czech Republic have claimed the final spot in Group A, setting up a June 18 showdown with Bafana Bafana in Atlanta. Photo: AFP
Image: AFP
South Africa’s final opponent in their FIFA World Cup 2026 group was revealed early Wednesday morning after a dramatic qualifier at the Stadion Letna in Prague.
While Bafana Bafana battled to a 2–1 loss to Panama in an international friendly in Cape Town, the Czech Republic hosted Denmark in the UEFA Path D play-off to decide who would have the honour of travelling to the North American showpiece later this year.
And it was the hosts, the Czech Republic, who managed to overcome a tense encounter via penalties 3-1. The hosts had initially taken the lead as early as the fourth minute through Pavel Sulc, and controlled the scoreboard until the 73rd minute when the Danes equalised.
Locked at 1–1, the two sides headed into extra-time with Nároďák once again taking the lead in the 101st minute. But a dramatic 112th-minute header by Kasper Hogh of Denmark ensured a 2–2 draw, sending the match to penalties.
The Czechs held their nerve the best, a Michal Sadilek penalty sending their nation to the World Cup for the first time since 2006.
"I had teary eyes, just a bit. I'm terribly happy and I want to thank the players," Czech coach Miroslav Koubek said afterwards.
The Czech Republic will now join co-hosts Mexico, South Africa and South Korea in Group A. They will face Bafana Bafana on June 18 in Atlanta.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, meanwhile, became the 10th African nation at this edition of the World Cup, also on Wednesday morning, after they beat Jamaica 1–0 after extra-time.
As reported by AFP, the DRC erupted in celebration at the victory, dancing the night away in the rain in Kinshasa after a lone strike from Axel Tuanzebe sent the nation to the showpiece event for the first time.
Elsewhere, Italy felt the pain of defeat once more after losing 4–1 on penalties in their qualifier against Bosnia. With the match ending 1–1 after extra time, the Azzurri failed to take control of the penalty shootout, losing 4-1. It will be the third consecutive World Cup the former champions miss.