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.
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
Proteas coach Mandla Mashimbyi remains undecided on who will occupy the crucial No. 3 position in the ICC T20 World Cup opener against Australia in Manchester on Saturday.Since Sune Luus’ promotion to open the batting with captain Laura Wolvaardt, the Proteas have trialled a number of options without much success.The premier contenders are the experienced duo of Tazmin Brits and Dané van Niekerk, although Mashimbyi has also utilised Annerie Dercksen […]
