Broos Promising To ‘Fight Like Lions’ As Bafana Face Azteca Volcanic Opener
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos believes his side is ready to deliver a positive result against Mexico when the two nations meet in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Estadio Azteca on Thursday evening.
The tournament opener, which will be played in one of the host nations, Mexico, is scheduled to kick off at 21:00. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
The match marks South Africa’s return to football’s biggest stage after missing the last three World Cups, won by Germany in 2014, France in 2018, and Argentina in 2022.
Speaking ahead of the highly anticipated encounter, Broos backed his players to rise to the occasion despite facing one of the tournament hosts.
“We have a game against Mexico. I think the team is ready to get a very good result, and we will do our best,” he said on South Africa’s Department of Sports, Arts and Culture platform.
The fixture will evoke memories of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, when Bafana Bafana and Mexico played to a memorable 1-1 draw in the tournament’s opening match.
That encounter is best remembered for Siphiwe Tshabalala’s stunning strike, which became the first goal of the tournament and remains one of the most iconic moments in South African football history.
Interestingly, some of the players who featured in that historic clash reunited in Mexico this past weekend for a legends match.
On that occasion, Mexico Legends secured a 5-2 victory over South Africa Legends, although Tshabalala once again found the back of the net for the South Africans.
With the current Bafana Bafana squad heavily influenced by players from Mamelodi Sundowns, who recently won the CAF Champions League, Broos believes their experience of competing on major stages will prove invaluable. Most of the players, like Broos himself, will be participating in a FIFA World Cup for the first time.
“I think it is very important to have those players in my selection,” said Broos, who returned to Mexico 40 years after representing Belgium at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
“Those players are used to playing big games – the Champions League in Africa – so they have great experience of performing in front of large crowds. On Friday, there will be a big crowd, but not many South African supporters. That experience will certainly help the team.”
While Broos’ side enters the tournament still searching for its first victory of the year, the players will be determined to make a statement on the world stage.
Bafana Bafana have recorded three draws and one defeat in their four matches in 2026 and are yet to test themselves against one of football’s traditional powerhouses.
Mexico, meanwhile, heads into the tournament in impressive form. The hosts have won six matches and drawn two this year, with their only dropped points coming against two of the world’s strongest teams, Portugal and Belgium.
Their recent performances underline the magnitude of the challenge awaiting South Africa in front of what is expected to be a packed Estadio Azteca crowd.
