The FIFA World Cup 2026 rolls on through its group stage with a packed schedule of fixtures from Sunday 21 June through to Friday 26 June – and for South African fans, the highlight of the entire week arrives in the early hours of Thursday morning. Bafana Bafana face Korea Republic at the Estadio Monterrey at 03:00 on Thursday 25 June, and the nation will be setting alarms and filling living rooms for what could be a defining moment in this country’s football history.
Bafana Bafana Take Centre Stage
South Africa’s clash with Korea Republic is the match every fan on this side of the Limpopo has been building toward. Hugo Broos has spent years shaping a side with pace, hunger and tactical discipline, and now the stage is as big as it gets. Korea bring technical quality and relentless pressing, but Bafana will carry a nation’s hope onto that Monterrey pitch. A positive result here could open the door to the knockout rounds – and spark scenes of celebration across South Africa not seen since the glory days of 2010.
Africa’s Finest on Show
It is not only Bafana flying the continental flag this week. Morocco take on Haiti at the Atlanta Stadium at 00:00 on Thursday 25 June – and Walid Regragui’s Atlas Lions, fresh from their historic 2022 semifinal run, will be expected to handle business. Any slip-up here would send shockwaves through African football.
Senegal face Norway at the New York New Jersey Stadium at 02:00 on Tuesday 23 June in what looks like a genuinely difficult test. The Lions of Teranga boast serious firepower, but Erling Haaland and a Norwegian side brimming with Premier League talent represent a stern examination. Algeria then meet Jordan at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium at 05:00 on Tuesday – a match the Desert Foxes will back themselves to win. Egypt face New Zealand in Vancouver at 03:00 on Monday 23 June, while Ghana take on England at the Boston Stadium at 22:00 on Tuesday – a mouthwatering rivalry with Premier League flavour throughout both squads. DR Congo and Cote d’Ivoire also feature, facing Colombia and Curacao respectively. Tunisia round off Africa’s week against Netherlands in Kansas City at 01:00 on Friday 27 June – a tough ask, but Tunisian sides have historically raised their game against European heavyweights.
The Week’s Blockbusters
Beyond the African storylines, the broader schedule is loaded with compelling football. Spain vs Saudi Arabia opens proceedings at 18:00 on Sunday 21 June in Atlanta – La Roja expected to impose their possession game on an organised Asian outfit. Argentina vs Austria in Dallas at 19:00 on Monday gives Lionel Messi another opportunity to add to his World Cup legacy, while France vs Iraq in Philadelphia at 23:00 on Monday should be a masterclass from Les Bleus. Portugal vs Uzbekistan in Houston at 19:00 Tuesday and Scotland vs Brazil in Miami at 00:00 Thursday both carry enormous intrigue.
The week closes with Norway vs France at the Boston Stadium at 21:00 on Friday 27 June – a rematch that could reshape group standings dramatically.
It is a remarkable week of football – but for South Africans, nothing else compares to that 03:00 kickoff in Monterrey. Come on Bafana.