Bafana Bafana are set to compete in their fourth tournament overall, having previously participated in 1998 and 2002, yet they have still to make it past the group stage. In each of their past three appearances at the World Cup, they finished third in their respective groups, a position that could potentially enable them to advance this time.
This competitive squad is primarily composed of players from local leagues, though they will face a significant upgrade in quality compared to what they’re accustomed to. They will kick off their campaign with an enticing match: the tournament opener against co-hosts Mexico, reminiscent of the 2010 opening that ended in a 1-1 draw at Soccer City in Soweto.
South Africa’s FIFA World Cup Fixtures
During the draw for the FIFA World Cup held in December 2025, Bafana Bafana found themselves placed in Group A alongside co-hosts Mexico, South Korea, and the Czech Republic.
Here is South Africa’s complete FIFA World Cup schedule:
Thursday, June 11: Mexico vs South Africa, Azteca Stadium, Mexico City — 13:00 local time, 21:00 CET / SAST
Thursday, June 18: Czech Republic vs South Africa, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta — 12:00 local time, 18:00 CET / SAST
Wednesday, June 24: South Africa vs South Korea, Estadio BBVA, Monterrey — 19:00 local time, 03:00 CET / SAST on Thursday, June 25
To view the complete schedule for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, check out our article HERE >
Where Will South Africa Play Their World Cup Matches?
There are two matches every team aspires to participate in at the FIFA World Cup: the opening match and the final. South Africa has secured one of these, although the chances of achieving the other are quite slim.
Their initial showdown against co-hosts Mexico will take place at the iconic Azteca Stadium, a venue rich in World Cup history that has recently undergone renovations to increase its capacity ahead of the 2026 tournament.
These renovations have expanded the stadium’s capacity from 83,000 to 87,500 spectators, introducing a new sound system, two video screens, updated changing rooms, and a hybrid pitch.
It was at this storied venue that Diego Maradona infamously employed his forearm to net the “Hand of God” goal against England during the 1986 tournament before showcasing his remarkable skills with a legendary solo run.
Additionally, the Azteca was the stage for Brazil’s impressive 4-1 win over Italy in the 1970 final, which is often hailed as one of the finest team performances in World Cup history.
Bafana Bafana’s second match, against the Czech Republic, will occur at the state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, recognised as one of the premier sporting venues worldwide.
Opened in 2017 as a replacement for the Georgia Dome, it serves as the home ground for both the Atlanta Falcons (NFL) and Atlanta United FC (MLS). The stadium features a retractable roof and can accommodate around 71,000 fans.
Returning to Mexico for their concluding Group A match against South Korea, the game will be held at the Estadio BBVA in Monterrey. This venue has a capacity of 53,500 fans and was inaugurated in 2015, serving as the home ground for CF Monterrey.
Potential Knockout Stage Schedule for South Africa
If South Africa wins Group A, they will square off against a third-placed team from one of the groups C, E, F, H, or I. This round-of-32 match is slated for Tuesday, June 30, in Mexico City, with a kick-off scheduled for 19:00 local time, 03:00 CET / SAST on Wednesday, July 1.
Should Bafana Bafana finish second in Group A, they will encounter the runners-up from Group B, which includes co-hosts Canada, Switzerland, Qatar, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. This match will be held on Sunday, June 28, at 12:00 local time, 21:00 CET / SAST, in Los Angeles.
If they end up third in Group A, Bafana Bafana could still move on as one of the eight best third-placed teams from the group stage. In that scenario, there are two possible fixtures, taking place as follows:
Monday, June 29, 16:30 local time, 01:30 CET / SAST on Tuesday, June 30: Group E winners vs best third-placed team from Groups A/B/C/D/F — Gillette Stadium, Boston
Wednesday, July 1, 13:00 local time, 22:00 CET / SAST: Group G winners vs best third-placed team from Groups A/E/H/I/J — Lumen Field, Seattle
For the full 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule, please refer to our article HERE >
South Africa’s World Cup Preparations
In their preparations for the FIFA World Cup, Bafana Bafana aim to play at least one friendly in Mexico, although this has yet to be confirmed.
The team intends to train in Pachuca, Mexico, utilising the facilities at the Pachuca Universidad del Futbol, a dedicated football and sports sciences academy affiliated with local club CF Pachuca. This site features a comprehensive range of football pitches.
Pachuca sits at an altitude of 2,432 metres, significantly higher than Johannesburg, while enjoying a pleasant summer climate marked by substantial rainfall and occasional hail. The warmest month is May, with an average high of 24°C and a low of 9°C.
Bafana will be accommodated at the Camino Real Pachuca, a luxurious five-star hotel enveloped in gardens and forest, located just 5km from Pachuca, the capital of the east-central Mexican state of Hidalgo.
Situated approximately 90 kilometres north of Mexico City via Mexican Federal Highway 85, Pachuca offers convenient access for Bafana to reach their opening match against Mexico at Estadio Azteca on June 11.
Compiled by SportArena.au
Fanpage: SportArena.au.
LiveScore – Live Sports Results & Odds.
