Cape Town – Bafana Bafana will open the 2026 FIFA World Cup against co-hosts Mexico, mirroring their 2010 opener.
South Africa were placed in a challenging Group A alongside Mexico, Korea Republic and a yet-to-be-determined European qualifier.
The match will be emotional for coach Hugo Broos, who returns to Mexico where he played for Belgium at the 1986 World Cup.
Bafana Bafana’s opponents at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been unveiled at the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC, USA today.#BafanaPride@10bet_ZA @SABC_Sport pic.twitter.com/T3LyA6HvN4
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) December 5, 2025
Broos will also join a select group of football figures who have both played in and coached at a World Cup.
Ahead of the draw, US President Donald Trump received the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize.
Venues and kickoff times will be confirmed later, with possible adjustments once playoff spots are finalised.
The opening game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, 🇲🇽 Mexico v 🇿🇦 Bafana.
2010 revisited – you can’t script this.#FIFAWorldCup
— Lorenz Köhler (@Lorenz_KO) December 5, 2025
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
