Why Some Why Some Africans Are Cheering for Mexico Instead of South Africa at the World Cup
As South Africa walks onto the World Cup stage, many expected the rest of Africa to unite behind Bafana Bafana. But across social media, football watch parties, and group chats from Lagos to Kampala, some African fans are doing the unthinkable: cheering for Mexico.
This is not really about football.
For many Africans, support for Mexico is a reflection of lingering anger over South Africa’s long history of xenophobic violence against fellow Africans. Over the past two decades, migrants from Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Mozambique, Somalia, Ethiopia, Malawi, and other African countries have repeatedly faced attacks, looting, intimidation, and displacement in South Africa. (South African History Online)
The most infamous outbreak occurred in 2008, when xenophobic violence spread across the country. At least 62 people were killed, thousands were injured, and more than 100,000 people were displaced. Many of the victims were African migrants who had come to South Africa seeking safety and economic opportunity. (Human Rights Watch)
The violence did not end there. Further waves of attacks erupted in 2015 and 2019, with foreign-owned businesses looted and migrants targeted in several cities. Human rights organizations have documented repeated patterns of hostility toward African immigrants, particularly those from other African nations. (ResearchGate)
Even in 2026, the issue remains painfully relevant. Recent reports describe renewed anti-immigrant violence and growing fear among African migrants, prompting countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi, and Mozambique to help their citizens return home. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has publicly condemned xenophobic attacks and vowed action against groups responsible for the violence. (Reuters)
For some African football fans, these events have not been forgotten. They see South Africa’s World Cup campaign through a broader lens. Their support for Mexico is not necessarily an endorsement of Mexico itself. Rather, it is a symbolic protest against what they view as years of mistreatment of fellow Africans.
Of course, millions of Africans continue to support South Africa and reject the idea that an entire nation should be judged by the actions of violent groups. But the divided loyalties reveal a difficult truth: football does not exist in a vacuum. History, politics, and collective memory often travel with the teams onto the pitch.
This World Cup has reminded us that while football can unite people, it can also expose unresolved wounds. For some Africans, cheering for Mexico is less about defeating South Africa and more about expressing solidarity with those who once felt unwelcome in the country many expected them to support.
The World Cup stage, many expected the rest of Africa to unite behind Bafana Bafana. But across social media, football watch parties, and group chats from Lagos to Kampala, some African fans are doing the unthinkable: cheering for Mexico.
This is not really about football.
For many Africans, support for Mexico is a reflection of lingering anger over South Africa’s long history of xenophobic violence against fellow Africans. Over the past two decades, migrants from Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Mozambique, Somalia, Ethiopia, Malawi, and other African countries have repeatedly faced attacks, looting, intimidation, and displacement in South Africa. (South African History Online)
The most infamous outbreak occurred in 2008, when xenophobic violence spread across the country. At least 62 people were killed, thousands were injured, and more than 100,000 people were displaced. Many of the victims were African migrants who had come to South Africa seeking safety and economic opportunity. (Human Rights Watch)
The violence did not end there. Further waves of attacks erupted in 2015 and 2019, with foreign-owned businesses looted and migrants targeted in several cities. Human rights organizations have documented repeated patterns of hostility toward African immigrants, particularly those from other African nations. (ResearchGate)
Even in 2026, the issue remains painfully relevant. Recent reports describe renewed anti-immigrant violence and growing fear among African migrants, prompting countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi, and Mozambique to help their citizens return home. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has publicly condemned xenophobic attacks and vowed action against groups responsible for the violence. (Reuters)
For some African football fans, these events have not been forgotten. They see South Africa’s World Cup campaign through a broader lens. Their support for Mexico is not necessarily an endorsement of Mexico itself. Rather, it is a symbolic protest against what they view as years of mistreatment of fellow Africans.
Of course, millions of Africans continue to support South Africa and reject the idea that an entire nation should be judged by the actions of violent groups. But the divided loyalties reveal a difficult truth: football does not exist in a vacuum. History, politics, and collective memory often travel with the teams onto the pitch.
This World Cup has reminded us that while football can unite people, it can also expose unresolved wounds. For some Africans, cheering for Mexico is less about defeating South Africa and more about expressing solidarity with those who once felt unwelcome in the country many expected them to support.
