It is hard to believe, but almost 24 years have passed since Bafana Bafana qualified for the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan. While South Africa later entered the 2010 tournament as hosts, their last successful qualification through competition came in November 2001.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Since then, the world has changed in unimaginable ways from technology to pop culture to global events. In fact, many of today’s football stars were infants or not even born when Bafana last celebrated their place on football’s biggest stage. Here are 10 mind-blowing facts that show just how different the world was back then.
1. Erling Haaland Was Just Learning to Walk
Manchester City’s scoring machine Erling Haaland was barely toddling around when Bafana earned their spot in the 2002 World Cup. Born in July 2000, the striker had yet to dream of dominating European football.
2. Billie Eilish Didn’t Exist Yet
Global pop icon Billie Eilish, known for hits like Bad Guy, was born in December 2001, just a month after Bafana wrapped up their qualification. Fans of her music had not even entered the world.
3. The World Was Still Reeling from 9/11
The September 11 attacks in the United States had occurred just two months earlier. The world was grappling with the aftermath as the U.S. launched its war on terror, highlighting how different global priorities were when Bafana celebrated.
4. Smartphones Were Science Fiction
The iPhone, now a global staple, would not exist for another six years. In 2001, Nokia and Motorola ruled the mobile world, and the idea of touchscreens and app stores was pure fantasy.
5. Uber and Ride-Hailing Were a Dream
The modern convenience of ride-hailing apps was not on the horizon. Uber only appeared in 2009, making it a concept as distant as flying cars.
6. Millie Bobby Brown Was Still a Baby Idea
The future star of Stranger Things, Millie Bobby Brown, would not be born until 2004. The world of Netflix and streaming fame was completely different.
7. Coco Gauff Was Not Yet Born
American tennis sensation Coco Gauff, two-time Grand Slam champion, entered the world in March 2004, highlighting just how long it has been since Bafana last qualified.
8. Carlos Alcaraz Was a Future Concept
Current men’s tennis world number one Carlos Alcaraz was born in May 2003, meaning his parents were still planning his arrival while South Africa celebrated its qualification.
9. Social Media Was Nonexistent
Platforms like Facebook did not exist until 2004, so there was no tweeting, posting, or sharing online when Bafana made history. Fans relied on newspapers, television, and word-of-mouth.
10. Gmail Was Still a Dream
Even the most widely used email service, Gmail, was still three years away from launch. In 2001, Hotmail and Yahoo ruled inboxes worldwide.
A Reminder of How Far We Have Come
Bafana Bafana’s last qualification serves as a time capsule of a world that feels almost prehistoric today. From pop culture to technology, nearly everything has changed, but the hope of seeing Bafana back at the World Cup continues to inspire a new generation of fans.
Related article: Calculators Out: What Bafana Bafana Need to Reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup
