BAFANA BAFANA 2010 SQUAD TO DEPART FOR MEXICO FOR EXHIBITION REMATCH
Bafana Bafana's 2010 World Cup squad departs OR Tambo on 03 June 2026 for Pachuca, Mexico, where they will face the 2010 Mexican squad.
26 players. One nation. One dream. 🇿🇦⚽
Departure and fixture
The Bafana Bafana 2010 World Cup Squad departs tomorrow, 03 June 2026, for Pachuca, Mexico.
"As announced by Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie, the 2010 World Cup squad will face off against the 2010 Mexican Squad in an exhibition rematch at Estadio Hidalgo on 07 June 2026," the statement reads.
The 2010 fixture between the two sides was played during South Africa's hosting of the first FIFA World Cup on African soil. The rematch revives that meeting sixteen years on, bringing together some of the most recognisable names in South African football to once more represent the country as ambassadors of the sport and of its cultural heritage.
The 2010 fixture, played at Soccer City in Johannesburg, ended in a 1-1 draw and remains one of the defining moments of South Africa's hosting of the first FIFA World Cup on African soil. This return to the field carries that legacy forward, reuniting players who became household names and reminding a new generation of the pride and unity that the 2010 tournament inspired.
Beyond the match itself, the squad's visit forms part of a broader programme of nation branding and cultural exchange running alongside South Africa's 2026 World Cup campaign, using football's reach to strengthen ties between the two host nations and to showcase South African heritage on the world stage.
Diplomatic and cultural exchange
Beyond the match, the team will take part in a number of projects in Hidalgo as part of a sports and cultural diplomatic exchange between South Africa and Mexico. The visit carries added significance: Pachuca is also the base camp city for the Bafana Bafana squad participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Departure details
- Departure airport: OR Tambo International Airport
- Time: 20:30