Bafana Bafana to take on Panama twice before World Cup

By Dylan Bettencourt

• The South African Football Association confirmed the friendlies on Thursday, with venues and kick-off times still to come.

• Panama, ranked 33rd in the world, are seen as competitive, physical and tactically disciplined opponents for Bafana Bafana.

Bafana Bafana will face Panama in two international friendly matches at home as part of their preparations for the 2026 World Cup.

The South African Football Association (Safa) announced the fixtures on Thursday. The matches will be played between 27 and 31 March.

Safa said venues, kick-off times and ticketing details will be confirmed in the coming days.

The friendlies are a key part of head coach Hugo Broos’s plan to get the team ready for the tournament. Panama was chosen because they offer tough opposition.

Ranked 33rd in the world, the Central American side are competitive, physical and tactically disciplined. This is the kind of test Bafana Bafana will face at the World Cup.

The tournament will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July.

South Africa were drawn in Group A when the World Cup draw took place in Washington DC in December 2025. Bafana will compete against Mexico, South Korea and the winner of Uefa Playoff D.

The Uefa playoff winner will be either the Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland, Denmark or North Macedonia.

Pictured above: Bafana Bafana players during a training session.

Image source: @BafanaBafana