Fifa World Cup 2026: Bafana Bafana select Pachuca in Mexico as high-altitude base camp

Bafana Bafana have made a strategic decision to enhance their preparedness for the 2026 Fifa World Cup. The South African national team will establish their base camp at Universidad del Futbol in Pachuca, Mexico — a renowned football and sports sciences academy associated with local club CF Pachuca.

This selection aligns with their objective to optimise training conditions ahead of the tournament. Pachuca, located about 90km north of Mexico City, boasts an altitude of 2 432m, making it significantly higher than Johannesburg’s 1 753m.

This elevated environment will provide a stimulating atmosphere ideal for high-altitude training, helping prepare the players for the rigours of the world stage.

Scheduled to play in the tournament’s opening match against co-hosts Mexico at the iconic Azteca Stadium on 11 June, Bafana Bafana face a challenging but thrilling start to their World Cup journey.

Subsequently, they will have a key encounter with a European qualifier in Atlanta, followed by their final Group A match against South Korea in Guadalupe, part of the Monterrey metropolitan area. The Pachuca University facilities, which include an extensive training campus, will provide the resources to hone their skills ahead of these crucial fixtures.

The team will stay at the five-star Camino Real Pachuca hotel, nestled in beautiful gardens and forests approximately 5km from their training site, providing a serene environment for rest and recovery.

The choice of Pachuca also offers a welcome reprieve from the sweltering summer heat common in many North American cities during the World Cup. With average temperatures around 22°C in June, Bafana can focus entirely on their preparations without the daunting challenge of oppressive weather conditions.

In addition to the training facilities, Bafana will have access to the heritage of CF Pachuca — Mexico’s oldest football club, established in 1892. This partnership may offer valuable insights to enhance the campaign.

The 2026 event marks South Africa’s return to the World Cup for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010. Having suffered group-stage exits in 1998, 2002, and 2010, this is a pivotal moment as the team aim to make a significant impact on the world stage for the first time in four attempts.

* Herman Gibbs is a veteran sports journalist with five decades of experience in the field. He is a former Sports Editor of the Daily Voice, and is currently a senior sports contributor for Independent Media.