FIFA World Cup 2026: Ramaphosa rallies South Africa behind Bafana Bafana
Synopsis
Ramaphosa is using Bafana Bafana's first World Cup in 16 years as more than a sporting moment — he is invoking the 1995 Mandela-Springbok playbook to fuse football with national renewal. With the opener against Mexico on 11 June, 62 million South Africans are being asked to look past results and see the return itself as the story.
Key Takeaways
President Cyril Ramaphosa urged South Africans to unite behind Bafana Bafana ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026 .
It is South Africa's first World Cup appearance since 2010 , with the opener against Mexico on 11 June .
The tournament runs from 11 June to 19 July , co-hosted by Mexico , the United States , and Canada .
The squad departed for Mexico on Monday after all but one assistant coach received visas.
Ramaphosa likened the moment to Nelson Mandela's Springbok appearance at the 1995 Rugby World Cup final.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on South Africans to unite behind Bafana Bafana as the national football team prepares for its first FIFA World Cup appearance since 2010, with the campaign opening against Mexico on 11 June. In his weekly newsletter published on Monday, the president framed the team's qualification as a moment of collective national pride for a country of more than 62 million people.
Bafana Bafana head to North America
The squad departed for Mexico on Monday after all players and staff, except one assistant coach, secured their visas. The tournament, co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada, runs from 11 June to 19 July, marking South Africa's return to the global showpiece after a 16-year absence.
What Ramaphosa said
Ramaphosa described the squad as ambassadors of a diverse nation, saying its composition reflects South Africa's unity across races, languages, and cultures. He added that the transformation of sport in the country embodies constitutional values including respect, fairness, tolerance, and inclusivity.
Drawing on sport's role in healing the country since the end of apartheid, the president recalled the image of former President Nelson Mandela wearing a Springbok jersey at the 1995 Rugby World Cup final. ‘Regardless of how Bafana Bafana fare in the tournament, their participation is as rich with meaning as the 1995 Rugby World Cup,' he wrote.
Linking football to national renewal
Ramaphosa tied the team's return to the World Cup to what he described as a broader national renewal — citing democratic progress, the strength of the Constitution, the launch of the National Dialogue process, and early signs of economic recovery. He urged citizens to celebrate both the sporting achievement and the country's march toward a united, non-racial, non-sexist, and democratic society.
One team, one nation
‘For 90 minutes, as they play for our country, we will not be divided by language, race, province, club or circumstance,' Ramaphosa wrote. ‘One Team. One Nation. Behind Bafana. Behind South Africa. United by our Flag, inspired by our Team. 62 million cheering voices. One Dream.'
What's next
Bafana Bafana's opener against Mexico on 11 June will set the tone for a group-stage campaign being watched closely back home, where football's mass following meets a political message of unity. The road from Johannesburg to a knockout berth begins in a few days.
Point of View
Economic strain, and a fragile National Dialogue. The risk: 1995 worked because the Springboks won. Bafana Bafana enter as underdogs, and a heavy group-stage exit would test whether the ‘participation is the message' framing holds beyond the opening whistle.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When does South Africa play its first FIFA World Cup 2026 match?
South Africa's Bafana Bafana open their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against Mexico on 11 June. It is the country's first World Cup appearance since 2010.
Who is hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The tournament runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026.
Why is Bafana Bafana's qualification significant for South Africa?
It marks South Africa's return to the FIFA World Cup after a 16-year absence, the last appearance being as hosts in 2010. President Ramaphosa has framed it as a moment of national unity comparable to the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
What did President Ramaphosa say about the team?
Ramaphosa described Bafana Bafana as ambassadors of a diverse nation whose composition reflects South Africa's unity across races, languages, and cultures. He urged 62 million citizens to rally behind the team regardless of the result.
Did all players get visas in time for the tournament?
All players and staff received their visas except one assistant coach. The squad departed for Mexico on Monday ahead of the opener.
