AI predicts Bafana Bafana has a 62% chance of advancing past the group stage in the World Cup, marking their best opportunity yet due to the expanded 48-team format. Picture: Adrian de Kock/Google Gemini
For a change, the data is in favour of Bafana Bafana shining at a Fifa World Cup, with South Africa given a 62% chance of advancing beyond the group stage for the first time in their history.
There is even a 1.4% chance that Bafana could go all the way and win the tournament. As Lloyd Christmas famously responded to Mary Swanson in Dumb and Dumber after she said they had a one-in-a-million chance of getting together: “So you’re saying there’s a chance!”
According to an AI-powered report by Predictionist (predictionist.com), which simulated the tournament 1,000 times, there are some encouraging projections for South African football fans.
While Bafana have failed to advance to the knockout stages in each of their three previous World Cup appearances, the expanded 48-team format has significantly improved their prospects. The top two teams from each of the 12 groups will progress, along with the eight best third-placed teams.
