World Cup 2026: Bafana Bafana begin campaign with a defeat

The Bafana Bafana of South Africa got their 2026 FIFA World Cup of the mark with a disappointing defeat to Mexico at the estadio de Azteca in Mexico City.

The hosts, who were clear favourites in the game opened the scoring on the ninth minute through a Julian Quinones goal after a defensive blunder. South African goalkeeper and captain, Ronwen Williams kept the Bafana Bafana boys in the game with some brilliant saves in the first half.

Premier League star, Raul Jimenez added a second in the sixty seventh minute of the second half to secure all three points for the El Tri. Things got worse for South Africa as two of their players, Sphephelo Sithole and substitute Themba Zwane got sent off in the forty ninth  and Eighty fourth minutes respectively. Mexico also had their defender Cesar Montes shown a red card but they managed to hold on to a  two nil win to clinch the maximum points.

The results puts a lot of pressure on South Africa going into their second game against South Korea,  while Mexico will be looking to beat Czech and secure their qualification to the next round.

Fan Fact

South Africa are the first team to receive two red cards in a FIFA World Cup match since 2006.