Bafana Bafana World Cup daily: Mexican fans watch training session

· The South African

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From fixtures and squad updates to qualification permutations, historical records and World Cup trivia, we’ve got South Africa covered.

WHAT IS TODAY’S LATEST BAFANA BAFANA NEWS?

Open training session in Pachuca

Yesterday, South Africa held an open training session at Hidalgo Stadium in Pachuca, Mexico, as preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup continued.

Thousands of local fans and media attended the session, creating a lively atmosphere ahead of South Africa’s tournament opener next week. While the public session took place at Hidalgo Stadium, Hugo Broos’ squad remains based at the nearby Universidad del Fútbol training centre.

Broos now has his full squad available in camp as the players continue adapting to the altitude in Pachuca, with assistant coach Helman Mkhalele and security personnel having arrived after brief travel delays.

What Happens Before The Opener?

Bafana Bafana will face Jamaica on 5 June in their final warm-up fixture before turning their full attention to Mexico.

WHEN IS MEXICO VS SOUTH AFRICA?

  • Competition: FIFA World Cup Group A
  • Date: 11 June 2026
  • Kick-off: 21:00 SAST
  • Venue: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City

Remaining Group Fixtures

  • 25 June 2026
  • South Africa vs South Korea
  • Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe, Mexico
  • 03:00 SAST

HOW CAN BAFANA BAFANA QUALIFY FOR THE ROUND OF 32?

The top two teams in each group qualify automatically. The eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups also advance.

Scenario 1: Automatic Qualification

  • Beat Mexico
  • Beat Czech Republic

Bafana qualify with a game to spare.

Scenario 2: Finish As Runners-Up

  • Collect between four and six points
  • Finish above either South Korea or Czech Republic

Scenario 3: Qualify As One Of The Best Third-Placed Teams

  • Finish third in Group A
  • Have a superior points tally, goal difference and goals scored record compared to other third-placed nations.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • South Africa secured automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by defeating which country 3-0 in their final group match? Rwanda.
  • Hugo Broos is the Belgian head coach who successfully ended Bafana Bafana’s 24-year drought of qualifying for a World Cup on merit? True (their last direct qualification was in 2002; they participated in 2010 as automatic hosts)
  • South Africca will face which co-host country in their highly anticipated opening group match of the 2026 World Cup? Mexico.
  • Which legendary striker scored South Africa’s first-ever goal in a FIFA World Cup match back in 1998?Benni McCarthy (against Denmark).
  • South Africa famously defeated which former World Cup champions 2-1 during the 2010 World Cup group stage? France.

WHO IS IN THE BAFANA BAFANA WORLD CUP SQUAD?

Goalkeepers

  • Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
  • Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)
  • Ricardo Goss (Siwelele FC)

Defenders

  • Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City)
  • Khulumani Ndamane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
  • Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs)
  • Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns)
  • Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns)
  • Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire, USA)
  • Samukele Kabini (Molde FK, Norway)
  • Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates)
  • Ime Okon (Hannover 96, Germany)
  • Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union, USA)
  • Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates)

Midfielders

  • Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
  • Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns)
  • Sphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela, Portugal)
  • Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates)

Forwards

  • Lyle Foster (Burnley, England)
  • Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates)
  • Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
  • Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol, Cyprus)
  • Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates)
  • Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates)
  • Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates)
  • Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns).

HOW HAVE BAFANA PERFORMED AT PREVIOUS WORLD CUPS?

France 1998

  • Lost 3-0 vs France
  • Drew 1-1 vs Denmark
  • Drew 2-2 vs Saudi Arabia

Finish: Third

Korea/Japan 2002

  • Drew 2-2 vs Paraguay
  • Beat Slovenia 1-0
  • Lost 3-2 vs Spain

Finish: Third

South Africa 2010

  • Drew 1-1 vs Mexico
  • Lost 3-0 vs Uruguay
  • Beat France 2-1

Finish: Third

Russia 2018

Did not qualify

Qatar 2022

Did not qualify.

WHO IS BAFANA BAFANA’S PLAYER TO WATCH?

Oswin Appollis

  • Age: 24
  • Club: Orlando Pirates
  • Position: Winger

Appollis heads into the 2026 FIFA World Cup in excellent form after contributing 11 goals and nine assists for Orlando Pirates across all competitions during the 2025/26 season. The winger has also become a key player for Bafana Bafana, registering nine goals and eight assists in 25 appearances since making his senior international debut in November 2023.

If South Africa are to cause an upset in Group A, Appollis is likely to play a central role.

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