FIFA World Cup 2026: Ramaphosa rallies South Africa behind Bafana Bafana
Synopsis
Bafana Bafana's return to the FIFA World Cup ends a 16-year absence — and President Ramaphosa is framing it as more than football. Invoking Mandela's 1995 Springbok moment, he is casting the squad as a symbol of national renewal, with the team's 11 June opener against Mexico carrying the hopes of 62 million.
Key Takeaways
President Cyril Ramaphosa urged South Africans to unite behind Bafana Bafana in his weekly newsletter.
South Africa returns to the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2010 , opening against Mexico on 11 June .
The tournament runs 11 June to 19 July , co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
Ramaphosa compared the moment to Nelson Mandela's 1995 Rugby World Cup Springbok appearance.
The squad departed for Mexico on Monday after visas were cleared for all but one assistant coach.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on South Africans to unite behind Bafana Bafana as the national men's football team prepares for its first FIFA World Cup appearance since 2010, opening its campaign against Mexico on 11 June. In his weekly newsletter published on Monday, Ramaphosa said the squad carries the hopes of more than 62 million South Africans into the tournament, co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada from 11 June to 19 July.
Team departs for Mexico
The squad flew out for Mexico on Monday after players and support staff — barring one assistant coach — secured their visas. The return to football's biggest stage ends a 16-year absence for a nation that last hosted the World Cup in 2010 but has not qualified as a competing side since.
What Ramaphosa said
Ramaphosa described the squad as ambassadors of a diverse nation, arguing its composition mirrors South Africa's unity across races, languages, and cultures. He said the transformation of sport in the country embodies constitutional values of respect, fairness, tolerance, and inclusivity.
Drawing on sport's role in healing post-apartheid divisions, the President recalled the iconic image of former President Nelson Mandela in 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 sport to national renewal
Ramaphosa tied the team's qualification to a broader national renewal narrative, citing democratic progress, the strength of the Constitution, the National Dialogue process, and what he described as early signs of economic recovery. He urged citizens to celebrate both the footballing milestone and the country's march toward a united, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society.
“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 tournament opener against Mexico on 11 June will be the first competitive measure of a side rebuilt over the last World Cup cycle. With the tournament running through 19 July across three host nations, South Africa's group-stage performances will determine whether the symbolism Ramaphosa invoked translates into a sustained knockout run.
Point of View
The National Dialogue is contested, and the coalition government is still finding its footing; a unifying sporting symbol is convenient cover. But 1995 worked because the Springboks won. Bafana Bafana, ranked well outside the global elite, will struggle to replicate that catharsis, and over-investing political meaning in a group-stage campaign risks a sharper letdown if results disappoint.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When does South Africa play its first FIFA World Cup 2026 match?
South Africa opens its campaign against Mexico on 11 June 2026. It is the country's first FIFA World Cup appearance as a competing nation since 2010.
Why is Bafana Bafana's return to the World Cup significant?
It ends a 16-year absence from football's biggest stage for South Africa, which last hosted the tournament in 2010 but had not qualified since. President Ramaphosa has framed the return as a moment of national unity comparable to the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
Who is hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026?
The tournament is co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada from 11 June to 19 July 2026. It is the first World Cup to be staged across three host nations.
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 said their participation itself carries meaning regardless of the tournament outcome.
Did all team members receive visas to travel?
All players and staff received their visas except one assistant coach, according to the President's newsletter. The squad departed for Mexico on Monday.
