South Africa national football team will play their final home match before the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Nicaragua national football team at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg.
The international friendly is scheduled for Friday 29 May 2026, with kickoff set for 18:00 local time. The match will serve as Bafana Bafana’s official send-off before the squad departs for Mexico to continue preparations for the World Cup.
The fixture represents the final opportunity for supporters to see the national team on home soil before the tournament begins in North America. South Africa are preparing for the World Cup under coach Hugo Broos, whose side is expected to travel shortly after the match.
The South African Football Association, commonly known as SAFA, previously confirmed that the national team will be based in Pachuca during the tournament.
According to the association, Bafana Bafana will train at the Universidad del Futbol while staying at the Camino Real Pachuca hotel, situated outside the city.
SAFA president Danny Jordaan encouraged supporters to attend the farewell match in large numbers as the team prepares for one of the biggest events in world football.
“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 to be hosted by the United States of America, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026,” SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan said.
The World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico between 11 June and 19 July 2026.
The Nicaragua friendly is expected to provide South Africa’s technical team with an important final opportunity to assess the squad before the tournament begins. International warm-up matches are often used by coaches to fine-tune tactics, build match fitness and finalise team selections ahead of major competitions.
The atmosphere at Orlando Stadium is also expected to play a significant role in motivating the players before their departure. Supporters are likely to view the match as both a celebration and a farewell occasion as the national side prepares to compete on football’s biggest stage.
Ticket prices for the match have been set at R80 for adults and R40 for children under the age of 12, making the event accessible to families and younger supporters.
The friendly against Nicaragua marks an important moment in South Africa’s World Cup preparations, with the team aiming to build momentum before establishing its training base in Mexico.
For Bafana Bafana, the fixture will represent more than just a preparation game. It will also provide an opportunity to strengthen support and unity around the squad before the country embarks on another World Cup campaign.
Attention will now turn towards the final stages of preparation as Hugo Broos and his players seek to head into the tournament with confidence and strong backing from supporters at home.
