Watch VideoBLOG: Live coverage of Bafana Bafana’s 2026 Fifa World Cup opener against Mexico

Police officers patrol outside the Estadio Ciudad de Mexico ahead of the 2026 Fifa World Cup Group A clash between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City on Thursday. Photo: AFP Welcome toIOL Sport’sblow-by-blow coverage as we build up towards the biggest match in South African football history. The wait is finally over asBafana Bafanaare set to take onco-hosts Mexico in the opening match of the2026 Fifa World Cupat theEstadio Azteca in Mexico City on Thursday night (9pm kickoff).

Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Thursday night (9pm kickoff). After a gruelling, high-stakes qualification campaign,Hugo Broosand 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. 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.

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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. 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.

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