Bafana Bafana have arrived at their base camp in Pachuca, Mexico, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament, which starts next week.
The team arrived in Mexico on Tuesday after a long trip from Johannesburg that included a two-hour refuelling stop in Cape Verde just off the West African coast.
According to the South African Football Association (SAFA), a huge media contingent waited at the airport and outside the team hotel, with the locals saying that interest in Bafana is at a record high as the opening match of the global tournament will be between the co-hosts Mexico and the South Africans at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on Thursday, 11 June.
All the players and personnel are in camp in Pachuca, including Doctor Tshepo Molobi as well as head performance analyst Sinesipho Mali.
Bafana assistant coach Helman Mkhalele and team head of security Mdu Mbatha are the only outstanding members, but they have also secured their US visas and will be travelling to Mexico.
Bafana have pitched their tents in Pachuca where they will be based for the World Cup and will train at the Universidad del Futbol.
Coach Hugo Broos’ charges are staying at Camino Real Pachuca hotel and Bafana were expected to have their first training session in Mexico in the afternoon, Mexican time.
