Morena Thrilled To Be Returning To America

Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana utility player Thapelo Morena expressed his joy at his side’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will mark a potential return to North America for the 32-year-old.

Bafana Bafana secured their place at next year’s World Cup after an emphatic 3-0 win over Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday.

“To be honest, it’s a great feeling, and yeah, as a footballer, or as a soccer player, you play for these moments. It’s one of the kind that no one, no one, will look back next time and say he regrets not being there,” said Morena.

The 32-year-old featured for 35 minutes before being subbed off due to injury, being replaced by Mohau Nkota against Amavubi.

“We made sure, and we gave our level best to fight for this opportunity. It’s been a while not Bafana Bafana being in World Cups, in the FIFA World Cup. So we are in this thing, and we are in together,” added Morena. 

For Morena, the trip to the United States of America will not be his first trip to North America, as he featured for Sundowns at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which was held in the USA.

“I think it’s going to be also the great feeling, also we have, we know, and we knowledge, and we know the culture now, and we know also the atmosphere, the heat,” added the former Bloemfontein Celtic player.

The Randfontein-born player made a solitary appearance at this year’s FIFA Club World, and he’ll surely be hoping that isn’t the case next June.

“It’s something that when going back there, it’s, it’s also for us, it’s going to be an eye-opener again, different top tournament to play,” added Morena.

The official FIFA World Cup finals draw is scheduled to take place in December.