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Bafana Bafana Kick Off 2026 World Cup Against Mexico
Bafana Bafana are back on the world stage as they face Mexico in the 2026 FIFA World Cup opener at the legendary Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Thursday, 11 June (kick-off 21:00 SA time).
It’s a repeat of the 2010 opening match, which ended 1-1 at FNB Stadium. This time, however, South Africa face the co-hosts on their own soil in a stadium hosting its third World Cup opener. Coach Hugo Broos, who played in the 1986 opener at the same venue, says his team is ready for the challenge.
Mexico are favourites, but Bafana will look to Lyle Foster and Teboho Mokoena to cause an upset in front of 87,000 passionate fans.