10 May 2026 – The South African Football Association (SAFA) met with Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie on Mother’s Day where a number of issues were discussed.
Minister McKenzie applauded SAFA after Bafana Bafana qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup – to be hosted by the United States of America, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026 – and he also praised the successes of Banyana Banyana and several other South African junior national teams.
The minister also updated the SAFA National Executive Committee (NEC) about a plan to take the 2010 FIFA World Cup Bafana Bafana squad to Mexico to face their North American counterparts in an exhibition match to be played in June 2026.
The match between the two nations comes exactly 16 years since the two teams faced each other in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg in June 2010. The two teams drew 1-1 in the opening match 16 years ago after Siphiwe Tshabalala scored in the 55th minute for the hosts before Mexico’s Rafael Márquez equalizing in the 79th minute.
The players will be shown around Mexico, they will attend workshops and will be made to feel welcome in the country ahead of the start of the 2026 global tournament.
“They must also feel that they are part of this country and continue to be respected,” the minister said.
And continuing with the plan, the members of the 2010 squad will be in the stadium when Mexico hosts Bafana Bafana in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City in a game that will mark the start of the 48-team tournament.
The Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture also updated the SAFA NEC on the Mzansi to the World Cup Lucky Fans Competition that was launched by the ministry a few days ago. Several lucky fans representing PSL clubs will get a chance to go to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They had to go through a rigorous process and display their pride and love for Bafana Bafana through entries they submitted. The minister said all the entries were reviewed by an independent adjudication panel.
Each winner will receive a fully sponsored experience — flights, accommodation, meals and a match ticket.
South African Football: Bafana Bafana won the 1996 AFCON hosted in South Africa.
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