PACHUCA, Mexico – South Africa’s national football team is gearing up for their first 2026 Fifa World Cup appearance in 16 years, with head coach Hugo Broos expressing confidence ahead of Thursday’s opening match against co-hosts Mexico.

Bafana Bafana have been training at their base camp in Pachuca since last week, acclimatising to the altitude of 2 300 metres above sea level before their tournament debut at the iconic Estadio Azteca on 11 June.

The match marks South Africa’s return to the FIFA World Cup stage since hosting the tournament in 2010, with the team set to face a formidable Mexican side in front of an expected capacity crowd.

Mexico pose stern test

Broos described Mexico as a complete team that will require Bafana Bafana to perform at their highest level.

“They are dangerous in every area. It is a very complete team, with a lot of movement and strong team spirit. We will have to be at our best if we want a good result,” he told media at a pre-match briefing.

The Belgian coach referenced Mexico’s recent performance against Serbia, highlighting their movement, aggression and team cohesion as particular strengths.

“Their movement, aggression and solidarity stand out. The whole team attacks and the whole team defends. They are a very complete side, and it will be very difficult for us on Thursday,” he said.

However, Broos remained optimistic about his team’s chances.

“We must not think we have no chance against Mexico, because that is not true either. But we have to prepare very well and play at our best level,” he added.

Nation rallies behind Bafana

While acknowledging that the stadium will be filled predominantly with Mexican supporters, Broos said the team draws strength from knowing South Africa is behind them.

“We all know there will be many Mexicans in the stadium and perhaps only a few South Africans, so we cannot count on strong support inside the venue. But we do know we have the support of the nation,” he said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa last week called on the country’s 62 million citizens to unite behind the national team.

“They carry with them the best wishes of more than 62 million South Africans who will be cheering them on at every stage of the tournament,” Ramaphosa said in his weekly newsletter.

The president drew parallels between the team’s journey and South Africa’s national progress, noting that both have emerged from difficult periods with renewed optimism.

He pointed to the country’s democratic progress, constitutional strength, the National Dialogue process and signs of economic recovery as reasons for growing confidence.

Unity through football

Ramaphosa urged South Africans to celebrate not only the team’s achievements but also the country’s progress in building a united society.

“So, as we cheer our team on from the stands, at fan zones and in our homes, we should also cheer ourselves on as a country. We should celebrate how far we have come in building a united, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa,” he said.

The president emphasised the unifying power of sport, calling for all South Africans to stand together during the tournament.

“For 90 minutes, as they play for our country, we will not be divided by language, race, province, club or circumstance. For 90 minutes, as they play, we will simply be South Africans standing together behind our national team and behind our flag,” he said.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being hosted across three countries – Mexico, the United States and Canada – marking the first time the tournament has been shared between three nations.

Kick-off for South Africa’s opening match against Mexico is scheduled for Thursday, 11 June, at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Kick-off is 21:00 South African time and the match will be broadcast live on SABC 3 and SuperSport (DStv channel 202). SABC coverage begins at 18:30 with the World Cup opening ceremony.

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