FIFA World Cup: South African boy to be one of official ball carriers

South Africa will NOT only be represented by Bafana Bafana in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup finals in North America.

Luca Human-Mare has landed a dream gig of becoming one of only 104 ball carriers at the global showpiece.

The 10-year-old Johannesburg-born boy won a Kia South Africa competition and will be seen walking teams out of the tunnel to the pitch before matches.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway on 11 June with Bafana Bafana taking on Mexico while the final is schedules for 19 July.

One of the requirements was that candidates should be aged between 10 and 14, and Luca Human-Mare made the criteria.

Furthermore, the candidates needed to know football and be up to date with all that’s happening around the world.

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FIFA WORLD CUP: JOHANNESBURG-BORN LUCA HUMAN-MARE OFF TO NORTH AMERICA

“I would love, love to meet [Cristiano] Ronaldo. He’s like my idol. Meeting [Lionel] Messi would also be great,” said Human-Mare to News24.

WHICH TEAMS DOES LUCA HUMAN-MARE SUPPORT?

Human-Mare told the same publication that he supports Liverpool in the English Premier League and Barcelona in Spain.

Locally, the 10-year-old enjoys watching both Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs.

His favourite player in the PSL is none other than Pirates and Bafana Bafana star attacker Relebohile Mofokeng.