The 2025/26 Betway Premiership season may be over but football emotions are far from settled as South Africans shift their focus from club rivalries to the global stage.
Image: Pexels/Vitaly Gariev
The final whistle has blown on the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season and South African football fans barely have time to catch their breath.
After months of drama, tension and endless debates, Orlando Pirates ended Mamelodi Sundowns eight-year dominance to lift the league title on Saturday, May 23.
Now the focus shifts from local stadiums to the global stage as Bafana Bafana prepare for the biggest Fifa World Cup yet in North America.
South Africa open their campaign against hosts Mexico at Mexico City Stadium on June 11, and emotions are already running high.
For supporters, this transition is serious business. One minute you are arguing about penalties, transfers and derby results. The next you are expected to unite behind the national team and survive a full month of stress, hope and emotional damage.
Here are 5 fun ways to mentally prepare for the World Cup experience.
Every World Cup comes with controversy. A disallowed goal, a questionable referee decision or a player who suddenly forgets how to pass the ball. The best way to prepare is by rehearsing your emotional reactions early.
Stand in front of the mirror and say things like: “The referee hates us” or “VAR is ruining football.” This way, you will not be caught off guard when chaos eventually arrives.
A proper fan never watches a World Cup game unprepared. Build a survival kit with snacks, water, lucky jerseys and a fully charged phone for group chats and angry voice notes.
Some fans even have lucky seats in the house that nobody is allowed to touch during matches. If your aunt suddenly sits there and Bafana concede, there will be problems.
Supporting a national team is not for the weak. One moment you are dreaming about lifting the trophy and the next moment you are calculating goal difference on the back of a grocery receipt.
To prepare mentally, start watching dramatic penalty shootouts from previous tournaments. It helps build emotional strength and teaches you how to survive football stress without switching off the TV.
The World Cup is the one time when rivals suddenly become teammates. Local football fans must all work together for the nation.
This can be confusing at first. You may accidentally celebrate next to someone you argued with all season online.
The key is to stay calm and remember that national duty comes first until club football returns and chaos resumes.
During the World Cup, everybody suddenly becomes a tactical expert. Prepare yourself by learning a few phrases you can confidently repeat during matches.
Say things like “We need more width” or “The midfield balance is not working.” Nobody really knows what it means, but it sounds intelligent and increases your football credibility in public viewing spaces.
Most importantly, enjoy the experience. World Cups bring people together in ways few sporting events can. The streets become louder, group chats become busier and every match feels important.
The Betway Premiership season may be over, but football stress is only getting started.