Geopolitics-laden FIFA World Cup kicks off

by MTHULISI SIBANDA 
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – THE Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup will kick off in Mexico today (Thursday), with the hosts playing South Africa in a rematch of the 2010 tournament opener.

Coincidentally, the 2010 opening match was also on June 11, when South Africa was the host nation. It ended 1–1.

Kickoff for the opener at the Mexico City Stadium is 21h00 South African time.

World Cup fever has gripped the Southern African country, which is marking a return to the tournament for the first time in 16 years.

The participation of Bafana Bafana offers some distraction from the volatility characterising the country amid anti-migrant protests.

The government has wished coach Hugo Broos and his 26 players well ahead of the tournament, which is also hosted by Canada and the United States.

Sandile Nene, Acting Deputy Director-General at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), urged citizens to rally behind the national team, wear Bafana Bafana jerseys with pride and use the moment to strengthen nation-building, unity and social cohesion across the country.

Mexico are higher-ranked and, on paper, the favourites against the World Cup returnees.

Mexico are 15th in the world, South Africa 60th.

Broos is not reading too much into that.

“We must not think we have no chance against Mexico, because that is not true either. But we have to prepare very well and play at our best level,” he said.

The Belgian spoke at a pre-match press conference in the central city of Pachuca, more than 90 kilometres from Mexico City.

Mexico are in Group A alongside Czechia and South Korea.

The tournament is set to be the largest in its 96-year history, with 48 teams participating.

There are a record ten African sides.

Morocco, semi-finalists in Qatar in 2022, are in Group C with record winners Brazil, Haiti and Scotland.

Ivory Coast occupy Group E with favourites Germany, newcomers Curaçao and Ecuador.

Tunisia are in a tricky Group F alongside the Netherlands, Japan and Sweden, while another North African side will contend with Belgium, Iran and New Zealand in Group G. Egypt appear to have the least formidable task of the African representatives.

Debutants Cape Verde face an uphill Group H task where Spain, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay await.

Senegal and France will relive the 2002 opener where the African side famously defeated their more fancied opponents 1–0.

It remains one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history.

They are alongside Iraq and Norway in Group I.

Algeria will face reigning champions Argentina, Austria and Jordan in Group J.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are marking a return since participating as Zaire in 1974. They are in Group K with Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia.

Ghana have England, Croatia and Panama in Group L.

Off-field issues have overshadowed the run-up to the tournament, with geopolitics also playing a role.

Leading African referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the United States and stripped of his officiating duties.

Iraqi player Aymen Hussein was held for questioning for seven hours at the border, while 15 members of the Iranian delegation were denied entry visas.

FIFA’s leadership has faced criticism over perceived closeness to the US administration of President Donald Trump.

On the eve of the tournament, Thomas Pigott, spokesperson for the US Department of State, said: “The FIFA World Cup 2026 is a landmark moment for the Trump Administration, showcasing American leadership and hospitality to a global audience as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary.”

– CAJ News