EDITORIAL | Bafana can give SA something to celebrate: 63-million of us are willing them to do so (opens original article in a new tab)

Bafana Bafana will play Mexico in the 2026 World Cup opening match at Estadio Azteca, with high viewership expectations and hopes for a successful tournament after a 16-year absence.

• Bafana Bafana will face Mexico in the 2026 World Cup opener with 1.1-billion projected viewers globally.
• The match at Estadio Azteca marks the first World Cup for Bafana in 16 years and their first as outright qualifiers since 2002.
• Bafana faces challenges in a tough group with teams like Mexico, Czech Republic, and South Korea, aiming to progress past the group stage.