June 12, 2026
South Africa’s defender #06 Aubrey Modiba, Mexico’s midfielder #25 Roberto Alvarado, South Africa’s midfielder #13 Sphephelo Sithole and South Africa’s midfielder #04 Teboho Mokoena fight for the ball during the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, 2026. (Photo by Yuri CORTEZ / AFP)
South Africa faced an unusual backlash from fellow African football fans after a 2-0 opening-match loss to Mexico at the World Cup, with social media trending more with jokes and taunts than the usual early-tournament solidarity seen among African nations.
The match itself saw co-host Mexico beat South Africa 2-0, but the online reaction reflected wider tensions. Memes celebrating Mexican culture — sombreros, flags and playful name changes — were common, yet many posts carried a sharper edge tied to reports of xenophobic violence in South Africa, BBC reports.
Some African supporters said their choice to back Mexico was a deliberate statement about recent anti-migrant incidents. “You want people to cheer for you when you play soccer just because we’re African?” one X user asked citing reports of mistreatment of migrants. Another user wrote, “We’re supporting Mexico so that South Africa can go back home early to protect their jobs,” playing on an unfounded accusation that foreigners were responsible for South Africa’s high unemployment rate.
