World Cup 2026 Openin Match: Why Many Nigerians other Africans Cheered Mexico Against South Africa

The opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has sparked a heated conversation across Africa, with many social media users claiming that a significant number of Africans supported Mexico over South Africa in the clash against Bafana Bafana.

While Mexico’s 2-0 victory over South Africa was expected to dominate football discussions, much of the online debate centred on the apparent lack of continental support for the African representatives.

Across several social media platforms, users from Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and other African countries openly celebrated Mexico’s goals, with many citing longstanding frustrations over xenophobic attacks and anti-immigrant sentiments directed at fellow Africans in South Africa.

According to comments widely shared online, some Africans believe citizens from other African countries are often treated as outsiders in South Africa despite the country’s location on the continent and its historical ties with the rest of Africa.

The sentiment was further amplified by a viral image circulating online showing a map of Africa with South Africa removed, accompanied by captions describing the country as a “South European country” — a sarcastic reference reflecting growing resentment among some social media users.

Many commenters argued that repeated incidents of xenophobic violence and remarks telling other Africans to “go back and fix their countries” have damaged perceptions of South Africa among sections of the continent.

Others, however, cautioned against generalising the actions of a few individuals to an entire nation, stressing that millions of South Africans continue to maintain positive relationships with fellow Africans and reject xenophobia.

The debate has once again highlighted the lingering tensions surrounding migration, identity and African unity, issues that have periodically strained relations between South Africa and other African countries.

Although the views expressed online do not necessarily represent the opinions of all Africans, the reaction to South Africa’s World Cup opener has exposed deep-seated frustrations that extend far beyond football.

For many observers, the controversy serves as a reminder that while Africa often rallies behind its representatives on the global stage, genuine continental solidarity requires more than sporting allegiance—it also demands mutual respect, inclusion and a shared sense of belonging among Africans.