The highly anticipated 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier in Bloemfontein between South Africa’s senior men’s football team, Bafana Bafana, and Zimbabwe will be the first in the province since 2010.
The team’s last international fixture here was against France on 20 June in the year in question, wherein Bafana beat France 2 – 1.
The upcoming qualifier matches in Africa presents an opportunity for nine countries to qualify for the global showpiece to be hosted by Canada, Mexico and America.
The upcoming fixture on 11 June against Zimbabwe sees Bafana continue their quest to reach the final of the football spectacle in 2026.
Thus far, South Africa has appeared in the Fifa World Cup in 1998, 2002, and 2010.
Bafana qualified for the 2010 edition by virtue of being the host country to the tournament. Bafana have yet to make it past the first round of the football showpiece.
Head coach Hugo Broos has named a 36-man preliminary squad for tough fixtures against Nigeria on 7 June, in Nigeria, and Zimbabwe on 11 June at the Toyota Stadium. Familiar faces in the team include Teboho Mokoena and Mothobi Mvala, both Free State-born and plying their trade at Mamelodi Sundowns, the reigning DStv Premiership champion.
Tickets are sold at R20 for children under 12 years, and R50 for adults.
