South Africa is back in the World Cup for the first time in 16 years

from Here & Now · host WBUR & NPR

South Africa hopes to shine in the global soccer spotlight on Thursday when it faces Mexico in the World Cup opener, as one of 10 African nations competing in the expanded 48-team tournament.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jun 11, 2026

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South Africa is back in the World Cup for the first time in 16 years

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