Excitement is building ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as Bafana Bafana prepare for an emotional farewell match on home soil later this month
The South African senior men’s national team will face Nicaragua in an international friendly at Orlando Stadium on Friday, 29 May 2026, in what will be the team’s final match in the country before departing for the global showpiece in North America.
Kickoff is scheduled for 18h00, with thousands of supporters expected to fill the historic Soweto venue to rally behind the national team before they jet off to Mexico for the tournament.
The send-off fixture is expected to create a festive atmosphere as fans get one final opportunity to see coach Hugo Broos and his squad in action before they compete on the world’s biggest football stage.
The South African Football Association recently confirmed that Bafana Bafana will be based in Pachuca, Mexico, during the tournament. The team will train at the Universidad del Futbol and stay at the Camino Real Pachuca hotel as preparations intensify ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
SAFA President Danny Jordaan urged supporters to come out in large numbers and give the team a memorable farewell. “We encourage families and fans to come in their numbers to support the team. The players will appreciate the support before heading to the FIFA World Cup,” said Jordaan.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States of America, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026.
Tickets for the friendly match are selling for R80 for adults and R40 for children under the age of 12.
Supporters can purchase tickets via shop.ticketpro.co.za.