The countdown to football’s greatest showpiece is officially in the single digits, and South African fans have one final opportunity to rally behind the national team on home soil. The South African Football Association (SAFA) has confirmed that Bafana Bafana will take on Central American nation Nicaragua in an international friendly send-off match at the iconic Orlando Stadium.
Scheduled for Friday, 29 May, with kickoff locked in for 18:00, the high-stakes encounter will serve as head coach Hugo Broos’s final tactical testing ground before trimming his squad and boarding the plane for North America.
Final Preparations for the Mexican Base camp
The clash against the 131st-ranked Nicaragua—who failed to secure qualification for the tournament—provides the 60th-ranked Bafana Bafana with a valuable opportunity to build attacking fluidity and sharp tactical cohesion.
Immediately following the final whistle in Soweto, the squad will depart for Mexico to begin their intense pre-tournament acclimatization. SAFA has finalized logistics for their tournament base camp, locking in the altitude of Pachuca as their training home. The team will be staying at the luxurious Camino Real Pachuca Hotel and conducting their high-intensity training sessions at the world-class Universidad del Fútbol.
Calling on the nation to pack the grandstands, SAFA President Danny Jordaan emphasized the emotional weight of the fixture:
“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.”
Ticket Information: Family-Friendly Pricing
SAFA has kept entry fees highly accessible to ensure the historic Soweto venue bounces with a roaring atmosphere:
- Adults: R80
- Children (Under 12): R40
Bafana Bafana’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A Schedule
South Africa has been handed a spectacular, blockbuster itinerary in Group A. Mark your calendars with the official South African kickoff times:
- Opening Night Blockbuster: Mexico vs South Africa Thursday, 11 June | 21:00 (SA Time) Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
- The American Leg: Czech Republic vs South Africa Thursday, 18 June | 18:00 (SA Time) Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- The Group Finale: South Africa vs Korea Republic Thursday, 25 June | 03:00 (SA Time, Friday morning) Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe
