Skip to content
TrackPodcasts
newsJun 15, 202622:59pending

World Cup: How hate-watching reflects social tensions

Focus on Africa

About this episode

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues across the United States, Canada and Mexico, we look at the rise of hate-watching across parts of the continent. The trend was especially visible when Mexico faced South Africa at the opening game last week. Some African fans, especially on social media, openly backed Mexico against Bafana Bafana citing the recent xenophobic attacks and anti-immigration sentiments in South Africa. We explain what hate-watching is and how off-pitch tensions shape fan loyalties.

And a new study is aiming to provide medical insights into treating kidney disease in West Africa.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine, Godwin Asediba and Ayuba Iliya Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru Senior Producer: Blessing Aderogba Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla

Get every episode summarized

Each time Focus on Africa publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.

Email me new episodes

Free for 3 shows. No card needed.

Hosts & guests

No transcript yet

This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.

World Cup: How hate-watching reflects social tensions

Focus on Africa

0:00
22:59

More episodes

More from Focus on Africa

View all episodes →