We are playing for all the people who believe in us – coach Broos ahead of Bafana’s FIFA World Cup showdown against Mexico – South African Football Association

8 June 2026 – The South African senior men’s national team is looking forward to soak in the inimitable experience that awaits the team when they face 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosts Mexico in the opening match of the global tournament at a packed Estadio Azteca on Thursday, 11 June 2026.

It is a game that will have millions of fans around the world glued to their screens and the expected thousands at Estadio Azteca equally enthralled as the four-year wait for the event finally comes to an end this week.

“You know, it will be a special and fantastic experience for us because my players have never played in this kind of situation before,” the coach said.

“So it will be very important for us to stick to the game plan and not listen to what is happening in the stands. We all know that there will be thousands of Mexicans inside the stadium and maybe a few South Africans.”

Broos said while the small number of travelling South Africans will be outnumbered at Estadio Azteca, Bafana Bafana can still count on the millions of supporters that will provide support from back home.

“We know that we have the support of the nation and we felt it in the last few days, and last week when we started the preparations (for the World Cup) in South Africa. All of South Africa is supporting us. This is something we have to remember on Thursday when the game starts, that we are playing for our nation. We are playing for all those people who believe in us.”

The South Africans have settled in very well at the their base camp in Pachuca, Mexico, since arriving this week but will travel to Mexico City on Tuesday ahead of the World Cup opening match against the co-hosts.

South African Football: Cape Town Stadium , home to Cape Town City, hosted matches during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.