Bafana Bafana vs Panama: First-ever friendly at Moses Mabhida Stadium

South African football fans are in for a landmark occasion when Bafana Bafana face Panama for the very first time in an international friendly. The match is scheduled for Friday, 27 March 2026, with kick-off at 19h00 at the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

Tickets are already on sale through Ticketpro, priced at R80 and R50, and the game will be broadcast live on SABC and SuperSport. For supporters, this fixture is more than just a friendly—it is the symbolic start of South Africa’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Although this will be the first official friendly between the two nations, history connects them through the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Back then, South Africa and Panama clashed in the quarter-finals, a dramatic encounter that ended 1–1 after extra time. Panama eventually advanced to the semi-finals after winning 5–3 on penalties, marking a breakthrough moment in their football history.

This upcoming fixture is therefore more than just a friendly — it is a symbolic reunion on the international stage. For Bafana Bafana, it offers a chance to rewrite history against Panama while giving fans a memorable night of football in Durban.

The clash against Panama also offers Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos and his squad a valuable opportunity to test themselves against Central American opposition.

South Africa will compete in Group A at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they will face Mexico, South Korea, and a play-off winner still to be determined. Their campaign will take them to some of the most iconic stadiums in world football: the legendary Estadio Azteca in Mexico City for the clash against Mexico, the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, USA for the encounter with South Korea, and BC Place in Vancouver, Canada for their match against the play-off winner. This spread across three countries will demand resilience, adaptability, and unity from the squad.

Bafana Bafana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Group

South Africa will compete in Group A at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they face:

• Mexico
• South Korea
• Play-off Winner (TBD)

2026 FIFA World Cup Stadiums where South Africa will play:

• Estadio Azteca, Mexico City (vs Mexico)
• MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA (vs South Korea)
• BC Place, Vancouver, Canada (vs Play-off Winner)