Recovered from fatigue, South Africa trains in Pachuca for debut against Mexico

The South African national football team has arrived in Pachuca, Mexico, and is showing signs of recovery from a lengthy journey ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The squad, led by coach Hugo Broos, landed Tuesday and conducted their first training session Wednesday at the Hidalgo Stadium, appearing in good spirits amidst thousands of fans and media.

Broos led his players through routine drills focusing on attack, ball control, and defensive work. The team's preparation is intensifying as they gear up for their opening match against host nation Mexico on June 11. This game is a crucial start for both teams in Group A, which also includes the Czech Republic and South Korea, as they aim to advance to the knockout stages.

South Africa's squad features a strong contingent from their domestic league, with a significant number of players coming from Mamelodi Sundowns, the most decorated club in the South African Premier Division. This familiarity within the squad is seen as an advantage for Broos. Key players include goalkeeper Ronwen Williams of Mamelodi Sundowns, defenders Olwethu Makhanya of the Philadelphia Union and Mbekezeli of the Chicago Fire from MLS, and forward Lyle Foster of Burnley FC in England.

The team will continue their World Cup preparations at the Universidad del Fútbol in Pachuca, located about 100 kilometers from Mexico City. This final phase of training will focus on fine-tuning tactics before their highly anticipated opening match against Mexico.