Bafana Bafana arrived at their World Cup base camp in Pachuca, Mexico on Tuesday 2 June 2026, welcomed by a mariachi band ahead of their opening match against co-hosts Mexico on 11 June at the Estadio Azteca. Image: SAFA/Supplied
Bafana Bafana have safely arrived at their base camp in Pachuca, Mexico. The squad landed on Tuesday 2 June 2026 after a long journey from Johannesburg that included a two-hour refuelling stop in Cape Verde. This Bafana Bafana Mexico arrival comes a day later than planned following the visa debacle that grounded the team over the weekend. South Africa face co-hosts Mexico on 11 June 2026 at the Estadio Azteca.
Bafana Bafana Mexico Arrival: The Welcome They Received
The squad received a warm and colourful welcome upon arriving in Pachuca. A mariachi band greeted the players at their base camp in a gesture that captured the attention of football fans worldwide. Furthermore, Mexico’s national team social media account welcomed Bafana Bafana fans with warmth and appreciation. Security escorted the team bus from the airport. Locals showed strong interest in the visitors. A huge media contingent was waiting at the airport. Interest in Bafana Bafana is reportedly at a record high in Mexico given that the opening match of the entire tournament will be between the two nations.
Hugo Broos Reflects on a Special Moment
Coach Hugo Broos had a personal reason to feel moved by the arrival in Mexico. Exactly 40 years ago, in the 1986 FIFA World Cup, the Belgian coach played for his native Belgium against Mexico in the opening game of that tournament. As a result, arriving in Mexico as Bafana Bafana coach for the 2026 World Cup opener against the same hosts carries deep personal significance for the 79-year-old tactician. “It feels special,” Broos told media on arrival.
The Visa Debacle That Delayed the Trip
The arrival came 24 hours later than planned. Four members of the travelling party had outstanding visas for the North American trip. As a result, SAFA held an Emergency Committee Meeting on Sunday night 31 May 2026. DIRCO and the US Consulate in Johannesburg were called in to assist. The US Consulate went beyond the call of duty over the weekend to ensure all visas were issued. SAFA apologised to South Africa for the unexpected delays.
Furthermore, assistant coach Helman Mkhalele was refused a visa by the US Embassy and did not travel with the squad on Tuesday. He was subsequently cleared and is expected to join the team in Mexico. The government called for heads to roll over the travel debacle. A three-member organising committee was established to manage administrative affairs during the tournament going forward.
Why Pachuca Was Chosen as Base Camp
Hugo Broos deliberately selected Pachuca as Bafana’s World Cup base camp. Pachuca sits at a high altitude. Furthermore, it offers modern training facilities at the Universidad del Futbol. The elevation closely matches that of the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City where Bafana face the hosts on 11 June. Therefore, training in Pachuca gives the squad the best possible acclimatisation ahead of the opening match.
A Historic Homecoming for South African Football
This is Bafana Bafana’s first FIFA World Cup since 2010, when they hosted the tournament and famously drew 1-1 with Mexico in their opening group game. Therefore, the opening match against Mexico in 2026 carries powerful historical resonance for South African football. President Cyril Ramaphosa called on South Africans to unite behind Bafana Bafana in his weekly newsletter on Monday. Furthermore, the nation is rallying behind the squad with enormous enthusiasm.
Bafana’s World Cup Schedule
Bafana Bafana are drawn in Group A alongside co-hosts Mexico, Czechia and South Korea. Their schedule is as follows. They face Jamaica in a warm-up match on Friday 5 June 2026 before the tournament begins. They then face Mexico on Thursday 11 June at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Furthermore, they face Czechia on Wednesday 18 June at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Their final group game is against South Korea on Tuesday 24 June at the Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe.
Aubrey Modiba, the hero of the CAF Champions League final, has been ruled out of the Jamaica warm-up match but is expected to be fit for the Mexico opener.
For official Bafana Bafana updates visit safa.net.
Editors Note All information in this article is based on official SAFA communications and media reports published on 2 and 3 June 2026. Mzansi Today Live will update this article as further information becomes available.