South African fans were stunned after a 2‑0 defeat by Mexico in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The response on social media was swift and unfiltered, with memes of sombreros, mariachi bands and tacos flooding the feeds across the continent.
Behind the light‑hearted banter was a darker undercurrent of xenophobia that has exploded in South Africa in recent years. The loss was used by some to highlight alleged links between foreign migrants and the country’s high unemployment rate and to stoke anti‑immigrant sentiment.
While a number of African users turned to memes supporting Mexico – even changing their profile pictures to Mexican flags – others stood firmly behind Bafana Bafana. For instance, a fan in Atlanta noted that “Africa is one family” and that showing support for Mexico was a sign of division. Conversely, a Ghanaian supporter in the same fan park called themselves a proud African and blamed the anti‑immigrant attitudes on a few individuals.
In South Sudan, fans in Juba continued to cheer South Africa, emphasising the shared struggle against minority rule that marked South Africa’s history. The backlash on social media was not merely about football; it reflected broader tensions surrounding migration in the country.
Following the match, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa praised the national team's performance and called for calm, stating that only government officials should act against law‑violations. He also urged that concerns about xenophobia be addressed without violence.
