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FIFA World Cup: Ramaphosa urges South Africans to back Bafana Bafana amid Visa issues
02nd June, 2026 04:09 PM
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on citizens to unite behind the national football team, Bafana Bafana, at the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Mexico, the United States and Canada from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
In his weekly newsletter released on Monday, June 2, 2026, Ramaphosa said South Africa has emerged from difficult times and is now looking ahead with renewed optimism. He noted that the country’s democracy has grown stronger over the years, with the Constitution remaining the supreme law of the land for three decades.
He called on South Africans to celebrate both the team’s achievement and the country’s progress toward a united, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society.
“For 90 minutes, as they play for our country, we will not be divided by language, race, province, club or circumstance,” Ramaphosa wrote. “One Team. One Nation. Behind Bafana. Behind South Africa. United by our Flag, inspired by our Team. 62 million cheering voices. One Dream.”
His call to rally behind the national team at the World Cup comes at the moment when the nation is grappling with immigration crisis, where foreign nationals in South Africa’s major cities are targeted by locals.
As excitement builds around Bafana Bafana’s campaign, Ramaphosa has urged South Africans to see the team’s journey as a reflection of the nation’s own pursuit of progress and success. South Africa became the first African nation to host a FIFA World Cup competition in 2010.
Surpporting national team
He encouraged supporters gathering in stadiums, fan parks, and homes across the country to celebrate not only the football team but also the achievements made in building a united, non-racial, non-sexist, and democratic society.
Drawing on sport’s role in uniting the country since the end of apartheid, Ramaphosa recalled the image of former President Nelson Mandela wearing a Springbok jersey at the 1995 Rugby World Cup final.
While expressing hope that Bafana Bafana could bring home the trophy, Ramaphosa said the team’s participation itself held profound national significance.
“Regardless of how Bafana Bafana fare in the tournament, their participation is as rich with meaning as the 1995 Rugby World Cup,” he wrote.
According to the president, just as Bafana Bafana continues to work hard in pursuit of victory on the pitch, South Africans should remain committed to creating a country where all citizens can prosper and reach their full potential.
Ramaphosa emphasised that football has the unique ability to bring people together regardless of their backgrounds. He noted that during the 90 minutes of a match, differences of language, race, province, club allegiance, or social status fade away as citizens rally behind the national flag and their team.
South Africa are in Group A of the competition alongside hosts Mexico, South Korea and Czechia. They will play their opening fixture against Mexico on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
