24 Years Later: 10 Shocking Facts from Bafana Bafana’s Last World Cup Qualification

It’s been almost 24 years since Bafana Bafana last qualified for a FIFA World Cup through the standard qualification route. South Africa’s automatic entry into the 2010 tournament as hosts was their most recent appearance, but their last qualification came in November 2001 for the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan.

So much has changed since then that many of the current Bafana players were toddlers or not even born yet. To put this long drought into perspective, here are 10 incredible facts from the last time Bafana qualified.

10 Shocking Facts from Bafana Bafana’s Last World Cup Qualification

1. Erling Haaland Was Just Learning to Walk

Manchester City’s superstar striker Erling Haaland, born in July 2000, was barely a toddler when Bafana last secured their World Cup spot. Today, he’s one of football’s most feared forwards.

2. Billie Eilish Wasn’t Born Yet

Pop sensation Billie Eilish, known for chart-topping hits like Bad Guy, was born in December 2001, a month after Bafana’s qualification. She hadn’t even entered the world when South Africa celebrated their achievement.

3. The 9/11 Attacks Had Just Happened

The world was still reeling from the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States. The global atmosphere was tense as the U.S. had just begun its “war on terror.”

4. The iPhone Didn’t Exist

Apple’s iconic iPhone wouldn’t be released until 2007. In 2001, most people were still using Nokia and Motorola phones, with no touchscreens or apps in sight.

5. Uber Was Nearly a Decade Away

The ride-hailing giant Uber didn’t exist yet. It would only launch in 2009, long after Bafana’s last World Cup qualification celebrations.

6. Millie Bobby Brown Was Still Years Away

Netflix star Millie Bobby Brown, known for Stranger Things, was born in February 2004, more than two years after Bafana qualified.

7. Coco Gauff Hadn’t Been Born Yet

U.S. tennis star and two-time Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff was born in March 2004, meaning Bafana’s qualification predates her entire life.

8. Carlos Alcaraz Wasn’t on the Scene

Men’s world tennis number one Carlos Alcaraz wasn’t born yet either. He arrived in May 2003, long after that famous qualification night.

9. No Facebook Posts About Bafana’s Qualification

When Bafana last qualified, Facebook didn’t exist the platform only launched in 2004. No status updates, no trending hashtags, no viral celebration posts.

10. Gmail Was Three Years Away

Even Gmail, the world’s most used email service, didn’t exist yet. It only launched in 2004, showing just how different the digital world was at the time.

A Generation Waiting for History

Bafana Bafana’s last qualification came at a time when social media, smartphones, and modern pop culture were still in their infancy, or didn’t exist at all.

Now, nearly a quarter of a century later, fans are hoping to see their team finally return to football’s biggest stage and create a new generation of unforgettable memories.

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