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

The South African national football team, the 'Bafana Bafana,' has arrived in Pachuca, Mexico, and commenced their training sessions ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The squad is reportedly recovering well from a journey exceeding 20 hours and showed good spirits during their Wednesday practice at the Estadio Hidalgo, observed by thousands of fans and media.

Under the guidance of coach Hugo Broos, the team focused on routine attacking drills, ball control, and defensive coordination. The training session was met with enthusiastic support from local fans, some of whom received autographs from the players afterward. This marks the final phase of their preparation for the global tournament, where they are drawn into Group A alongside host nation Mexico, the Czech Republic, and South Korea.

South Africa's opening match on June 11 against Mexico will be a repeat of the 2010 World Cup opener when South Africa hosted the tournament. This fixture is considered crucial for both teams as they aim to secure a favorable start in their quest to advance to the knockout stages.

The squad features a strong contingent from South Africa's domestic league, with a third of the players hailing from Mamelodi Sundowns, the most successful club in the Premier Soccer League. This familiarity among teammates is seen as an advantage for coach Broos. Key players include goalkeeper Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), defenders Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union) and Mbekezeli (Chicago Fire), both from MLS, and forward Lyle Foster from Burnley FC in England. The team will conclude their preparations at the University of Football in Pachuca.