The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Bafana Bafana and the Warriors at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, 11 June 2024 will kick off at 18h00.

The initial communication from FIFA had the game penciled in for a 21h00 kick off, but South African Football Association (SAFA) CEO Lydia Monyepao said they requested a switch to a 19h30 start to accommodate the fans.

“We wanted the game to kick off at 19h30 because this is the traditional start of late matches in South Africa, and given that it is a midweek match, it accommodates those who are coming from work and have other engagements,” she said.

“But ultimately we were given a 6pm kick off and the decision is final. So, the match between Bafana Bafana and Zimbabwe at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, 11 June 2024 will kick off at 18h00. We call upon all fans to fill up the stadium and support the boys, make sure that they feel the love when they play their first match at home since the Bronze medal achievement at the Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire a few weeks ago.”

The gates will open at 15h00 and the tickets are priced at R50.00 for adults. Kids, scholars and students will pay R20.00 (school uniform and student cards required for over 12-year-olds). Tickets are available at TicketPro outlets, Spar, SuperSpar, Putco, Postnet etc.

Bafana Bafana host old foes Zimbabwe on Thursday in this crucial 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifier, a meeting against one of the first teams they clashed with on their return to international football in 1992.

In the 14 past meetings, there have been six wins each and two draws, the latest in Harare at the start of the qualifiers in September, which suggesting there has been nothing much to choose between the two sides.