Bafana Bafana were welcomed by traditional mariachi band in Mexico

Bienvenidos! South Africa’s World Cup squad touch down at base camp in Pachuca

2 June 2026 – Bafana Bafana have arrived at their base camp in Pachuca, Mexico, ahead of the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup next week.

The team arrived in Mexico on Tuesday in high spirits after a long trip from Johannesburg, South Africa, that included a two-hour refuelling stop in the island country of Cape Verde just off the West African coast.

A huge media contingent was waiting at the airport and outside the team hotel, with locals saying that interest in Bafana Bafana is at a record high, as the opening match of the global tournament will be between the hosts, Mexico, and the South Africans at the Estadio Azteca on June 11, 2026.

All the players and personnel are in camp in Pachuca, including the Team Doctor Tshepo Molobi and Head Performance Analyst Sinesipho Mali.

Bafana Bafana assistant coach Helman Mkhalele and team head of security, Mdu Mbatha, are the only outstanding members of the team, but they have also secured their US visas and travelled to Mexico in the afternoon (South Africa time) on Tuesday.

The South African senior men’s national team will be based in Pachuca for the World Cup, and they will train at the Universidad del Futbol.

Coach Hugo Broos’ charges are staying at the Camino Real Pachuca hotel, located just outside Pachuca.

A traditional mariachi band, a global symbol of Mexican identity, welcomed Bafana Bafana at their team base in Pachuca, Mexico.

COPY and PIC: SAFA