Welcome to IOL Sport’s blow-by-blow coverage as we build up towards the biggest match in South African football history.
The wait is finally over asBafana Bafana are set to take on co-hosts Mexico in the opening match of the 2026 Fifa World Cup at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Thursday night (9pm kickoff).
After a gruelling, high-stakes qualification campaign, Hugo Broos and his band of Bafana brothers go 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.
Throughout the afternoon, we will bring you the live updates, instant expert analysis, and breaking news as Bafana’s World Cup journey starts right here.
Muhsin Ertugral highlights Mexico’s bizarre opening-day record
As anticipation builds towards South Africa’s opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, former Kaizer Chiefsand Orlando Pirates coach Muhsin Ertugral has pointed to an intriguing piece of history that could offer encouragement to Hugo Broos’ side.
Bafana 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. However, Ertugral believes World Cup opening matches often follow their own unique script.
The stage is set.. 🇿🇦⚽️ 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!
⚽ Mexico vs Bafana Bafana 📅 Thursday, 11 June 2026 🏟️ Estadio Azteca, Mexico City 🕕… pic.twitter.com/KLhAJfv0nH
Siya Kolisi and Springboks rally behind Bafana Bafana with epic song
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 Mexicoin 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. 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 — complete with a powerful gwijo hymn — to Hugo Broos’ men ahead of tonight’s World Cup opener in Mexico. Photo: Itumeleng English Independent Media
The ultimate Fifa World Cup song ranking: Why THAT song still reigns supreme in 2026
Since 1990, Fifa have brought — probably — 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 somebrahnamed 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 theFifa World CupsinceBafana Bafana‘s debut in 1998. Shaun Bartlett and Benni McCarthy 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 Bafana’s tactical options
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 Broos’ 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
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.
Springbok coachRassie Erasmussays he has wished his football counterpart, Hugo Broos, everything of the best for Thursday night’s big kick-off in Mexico (9pm), but worries that his message may have been lost in translation.
A smiling Erasmus said, “We are all excited about the match tonight.
“We have built a nice relationship with Hugo Broos. I tried to say, “You go, Hugo!” but I think he heard ‘Hugo Hugo’. It didn’t 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
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
The Madlanga Commission has thrown its full judicial weight behindBafana Bafanaas South Africa’s national football team prepare to kick off their2026 FIFA World Cupcampaign against tournament hosts Mexico on Thursday night.
In an official statement issued on Thursday morning, Commission chairpersonJustice Mbuyiseli Madlangarevealed 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
Proteas Women’scoach Mandla Mashimbyi is hopingBafana Bafanaprovide the inspiration for his team ahead of their ICC Women’s 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 Women’s 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
For a change, the data is in favour ofBafana Bafanashining at aFifa 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 thatBafanacould 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: “So you’re saying there’s a chance!”
What time is the Fifa World Cup opening ceremony? Shakira, Burna Boy and Tyla to perform
By now, most people will know thatBafana Bafanawill kick off theirFifa World Cupcampaign 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 Bafana midfielder Teboho Mokoena has thrown down the gauntlet ahead of their daunting 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
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
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.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 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. #bafanabafana♬ original sound – The Clutch_ZA
Johan Barnard held his two-week-old son’s tiny coffin tightly against his chest as he walked behind pallbearers carrying the flower-covered coffin of his eight-year-old boy.Tears streamed down his face as the two small white caskets were placed on top of the other and lowered into a single grave at Sterkfontein Cemetery in Krugersdorp on Thursday afternoon.The 37-year-old then bent over the grave to bid a final farewell to his firstborn, […]
