A high-level South African Football Association (SAFA) delegation led by President Dr Danny Jordaan is set to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup Draw in Washington DC. The global event, to be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026, will move a step closer with Friday’s official group allocation ceremony.
The draw will be conducted on 5 December 2025 at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts, beginning at 12h00 local time (19h00 SAST). FIFA has confirmed that the event will be co-hosted by international stars Heidi Klum, Kevin Hart and Danny Ramirez, and will reveal the group-stage routes for Bafana Bafana as well as other teams still to be confirmed following the March 2026 playoffs.
South Africa enters the draw placed in Pot 3, where they line up alongside Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, Uzbekistan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Dr Jordaan will be joined by Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos, team manager Vincent Tseka, SAFA commercial and marketing manager Errol Madlala, travel and procurement manager Veronica Mokoena, and communications manager Mninawa Ntloko.
Beyond the draw ceremony, FIFA has arranged an extensive programme of workshops for all participating nations. These sessions will cover key operational areas including ticketing, hospitality, guest operations, logistics, team services, communications, event promotion, fan engagement, and safety and security.
Coaches will also participate in technical seminars, with Broos representing South Africa following Bafana Bafana’s qualification secured with a decisive victory over Rwanda in October 2025. Individual meetings will take place after the draw to finalise plans around venue inspections and operational requirements ahead of the tournament.
The draw will determine South Africa’s path as they prepare for their return to the world’s biggest football stage.
