Bafana Bafana had a day to forget going down 2-0 and finishing the game with nine men at Aztec Stadium on Thursday night.
Julian Quinones put Mexico front with his eighth minute striker after a miscomunication and blunder between Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams and defensive midfielder Sphephelo Sithole.
South Africa could have easily went to half time 3-0 as they were under siege from the first minute, but skipper Ronwen Williams kept them alive with some excellent saves.
Bafana appeared to have too much congestion from the centre of the park all the way back to the five defenders at the back.
As a result, players found themselves with no space to navigate.
15 minutes into the secon half Sithole got the red card and substitute Themba Zwane got his marching orders in the 83rd minute.
Mexico also lost Cesar Montes at 90 minutes after a foul on Khuliso Mudau.
After a gruelling, high-stakes qualification campaign, Hugo Broos and his band of Bafana brothers went into the match as massive underdogs as the lowest ranked team in Group A. In fact, the stats gurus are giving the South Africans just a 7% chance of qualifying for the knockout stage.ย ย
Hugo Broos unleashes Lyle Foster and Iqraam Rayners in twin-strike attack against Mexico
Raul Rangel, Israel Reyes, Cesar Montes, Johan Vasquez, Jesus Gallardo, Erik Lira, Roberto Alvarado, Brian Gutierrez, Alvaro Fidalgo, Julian Quinones, Santiago Jimenez
As the opening match of the 2026 FIFA world cup is about to kick-off between South Africa’s Bafana Bafana and Mexico, fans are ready for the showdown at a viewing party in Midrand.
Bafana Bafana fans turn up the volume in number in Midrand
As the opening match of the 2026 FIFA world cup is about to kick off between South Africa’s Bafana bafana and Mexico, fans are ready for the showdown at a viewing party in a World Cup fan park in Midrdand.
Muhsin Ertugral highlights Mexico’s bizarre opening-day record
As anticipation builds towards South Africaโs opening match of theย 2026 FIFA World Cup, formerย Kaizer Chiefsย and Orlando Pirates coach Muhsin Ertugral has pointed to an intriguing piece of history that could offer encouragement to Hugo Broosโ side.
Bafanaย will kick off their campaign against co-hosts Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca on Thursday, with many expecting the hosts to begin the tournament strongly in front of a packed home crowd.ย However, Ertugral believes World Cup opening matches often follow their own unique script.
The stage is set.. ๐ฟ๐ฆโฝ๏ธ We are about to witness history tonight at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Get ready Mzansi for the much anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup opener of a lifetime!
โฝ Mexico vs Bafana Bafana ๐ Thursday, 11 June 2026 โ๐๏ธ Estadio Azteca, Mexico City ๐โฆ pic.twitter.com/KLhAJfv0nH
Siya Kolisi and Springboks rally behind Bafana Bafana with epic song
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Double World Cup-winning Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has wished his football counterparts, Bafana Bafana, well ahead of the 2026 Fifa World Cup, saying they are behind the team like the rest of their countrymen.
Bafana will face Mexicoย in the opening match of the global showpiece at Azteca Stadium on Thursday night (kick-off 9pm). This clash marks their return to the event since they hosted it 16 years ago.ย Bafana have united the country through their qualification campaign, with multitudes backing them to do well at the event and reach the knockout stage for the first time in four attempts.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi and the entire squad paused their training session today to send an incredible message of support โ complete with a powerful gwijo hymn โ to Hugo Broos’ men ahead of tonight’s World Cup opener in Mexico. Photo: Itumeleng English Independent Media
Bafana star Olwethu Makhanya honoured by MLS club ahead of World Cup
As Bafana Bafana continue their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, one South African defender is receiving recognition thousands of kilometres away from the national teamโs base camp.
Major League Soccer side Philadelphia Union paid tribute to defender Olwethu Makhanya this week, celebrating his inclusion in Hugo Broosโ World Cup squadwith a special photoshoot in the United States.
The club shared a series of images of the 21-year-old at some of Philadelphiaโs most recognisable landmarks under the caption: โFrom the Philly steps to the world stage.โ
Among the standout photographs was one taken alongside the famous Rocky Statue, a landmark that has become synonymous with overcoming adversity and chasing dreams.
For Makhanya, the symbolism could hardly have been more fitting.
Philadelphia Union has paid tribute to Bafana Bafana defender Olwethu Makhanya for his involvement in the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
The ultimate Fifa World Cup song ranking: Why THAT song still reigns supreme in 2026
Since 1990, Fifa have brought โ probably โ an equal measure of pleasure and torture by releasing official Fifa World Cup songs to accompany the mood, feel and celebration of arguably the biggest sporting event in the world.
The 2026 World Cup is no different, with someย brahย named Jelly Roll singing the most American song you will have probably heard in years.
Is it the best? Well, maybe it is just average.
Which brings us to the question: If we were to rank the 10 official songs since Italy 1990, what would their order be?
With now under three hours to go to kick-off between South Africa and Mexico, let’s take a look at the imposing Mexico City Stadium that will host Thursday night’s opening game.
And while we are at it, why not relive every goal scored by our nation on football’s biggest stage.
Nine South Africans have scored a total of 11 goals at theย Fifa World Cupย sinceย Bafana Bafana‘s debut in 1998. Shaun Bartlett andย Benni McCarthyย are the top goalscorers for the nation at the showpiece event, with two apiece.
With Bafana Bafana set to play their first tournament in 16 years, we relive all the goals scored by South Africans.
The venue for Thursday night’s Fifa World Cup clash between Mexico and South Africa.
World Cup 2026: Comprehensive squad guide to Bafana Bafanaโs tactical options
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As Bafana Bafana prepare to walk out into the intimidating Estadio Azteca to face co-hosts Mexico tonight, we break down Hugo Broos’ final World Cup squad.
From Sipho Chaine’s record-breaking domestic form to the raw attacking pace of Lyle Foster, here is how the team shapes up.
Below is Independent Media’s in-depth breakdown of Broosโ 26-man Bafana squad, analysing the key attacking weapons, midfield steel, and defensive depth tasked with unlocking Mexico.
Rassie Erasmus reveals hilarious ‘lost in translation’ message to Hugo Broos
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Support for Bafana Bafana continues to come from all quarters of South African sport with the 9pm kick-off between Mexico and South Africa in opening match of the 2026 Fifa World Cup edging closer.ย
Springbok coachย Rassie Erasmusย says he has wished his football counterpart, Hugo Broos, everything of the best for Thursday nightโs big kick-off in Mexico (9pm), but worries that his message may have been lost in translation.
A smiling Erasmus said, โWe are all excited about the match tonight.
“We have built a nice relationship with Hugo Broos. I tried to say, โYou go, Hugo!โ but I think he heard โHugo Hugoโ. It didnโt come out the right way, but we hope they do well. We know the pressure they are under, and we understand that pressure only too well.
Group A preview: Hosts Mexico favourites, but Bafana Bafana ready to gatecrash
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With kick-off to the opening match to the Fifa World Cup 2026 between Mexico and South Africa five hours away, catch up with our Group A guide. Along with El Tri and Bafana, South Korea and Czech Republic will also battle for supremacy to progress to the next stage of the tournament.
Madlanga Commission swaps robes for jerseys to back Bafana Bafana
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The Madlanga Commission has thrown its full judicial weight behindย Bafana Bafanaย as South Africa’s national football team prepare to kick off theirย 2026 FIFA World Cupย campaign against tournament hosts Mexico on Thursday night.
In an official statement issued on Thursday morning, Commission chairpersonย Justice Mbuyiseli Madlangaย revealed that members of the inquiry were all wearing Bafana Bafana jerseys to mark the historic opening day of South Africa’s World Cup journey and demonstrate their unwavering support for the national side.
The Madlanga Commissioners don the Bafana Bafana jerseys today in support of the national team ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 opening match against Mexico pic.twitter.com/r6V7CJPGfl
T20 World Cup: Proteas Women inspired by Bafana’s underdog Status
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Proteas Womenโsย coach Mandla Mashimbyi is hopingย Bafana Bafanaย provide the inspiration for his team ahead of their ICC Womenโs T20 World Cup opener against Australia in Manchester on Saturday.
Bafana face hosts Mexico in the 2026 FIFA World Cup opener in Mexico City on Thursday evening (kick-off 9pm), with the entire nation backing them to produce an upset.
Mashimbyi believes Bafana and his Proteas Women face similar scenarios, as they are both underdogs.
Proteas Womenโs coach Mandla Mashimbyi is backing Bafana Bafana to stun Mexico on Thursday night, hoping a win can spark his own team’s T20 World Cup campaign against Australia on Saturday. Photo: Backpagepix
AI predicts Bafana will make Fifa World Cup history
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For a change, the data is in favour ofย Bafana Bafanaย shining at aย 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 thatย Bafanaย 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: โSo youโre saying thereโs a chance!โ
What time is the Fifa World Cup opening ceremony? Shakira, Burna Boy and Tyla to perform
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By now, most people will know thatย Bafana Bafanaย will kick off theirย Fifa World Cupย campaign at 9pm SA time on Thursday evening, but the opening ceremony will take place long before the first ball is kicked on the pristine turf of Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
The opening ceremony is expected to last close to 90 minutes and will begin at 7.30pm SA time.
Teboho Mokoena: 2010 is in the past … Bafana Bafana want to make their own history in 2026
Bafana Bafanaย midfielder Teboho Mokoena has thrown down the gauntlet ahead of their dauntingย FIFA World Cup opener against Mexico, insisting the pressure is squarely on the co-hosts as South Africa look to rip up the textbook and script their own history at the Estadio Azteca.
Addressing a packed press room on the eve of the tournament, Mokoena confidently laughed off bleak external data that has written off the South Africans before a ball has even been kicked in anger.
Three match-ups that could decide Mexico, Bafana Bafana 2026 Fifa World Cup opener
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The 2026 Fifa World Cup opening match between co-host Mexico and Bafana Bafana at Azteca Stadium on Thursday is poised to be a momentous occasion for both teams, as the result could have a defining impact on the careers of all personnel involved.
The match carries significant symbolism, marking a repeat of the 2010 World Cup opening fixture in Johannesburg, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Given the history and stakes, the match in Mexico City will likely be decided by fine margins, requiring individual brilliance to secure a crucial victory in what promises to be a thrilling tournament opener.
Below, Independent Media football writer Mihlali Baleka highlights three key match-ups that could swing the match:
2026 Fifa World Cup predictions: We pick our winners and Bafana Bafana prospects
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The stage is set for the most expansive tournament in football history.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on Thursday, welcoming an expanded field of 48 nations across three host countries: the United States, Mexico and Canada.ย Over 39 days of intense competition, a record 104 matches will be contested before the champions lift the iconic trophy.
Here, Independent Media’s sports department choose their favourites to win the championship on July 19.
@the.clutch_za The 2026 Fifa World Cup opening matchย between co-host Mexico andย Bafana Bafanaย at Azteca Stadium on Thursday is poised to be a momentous occasion for both teams, as the result could have a defining impact on the careers of all personnel involved. The match carries significant symbolism,ย marking a repeat of the 2010 World Cup opening fixture in Johannesburg, which ended in a 1-1 draw. #bafanabafanaโฌ original sound – The Clutch_ZA
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