Overview
- The FIFA draw set Bafana Bafana against host Mexico to open the tournament on June 11 at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca.
- Head coach Hugo Broos called the assignment tough in a partisan setting and said his team has “nothing to lose” in the first match.
- Group A also includes South Korea and a UEFA playoff winner—Denmark, North Macedonia, the Czech Republic or Ireland—to be determined in March.
- Under the 48-team format, the top two from each group and the eight best third-placed teams advance, and Broos said South Africa can target a third-place path to the Round of 32.
- The draw kept South Africa away from top seeds such as France, England, Germany, Spain and Argentina, with six World Cup spots still to be filled via March playoffs.