With Bafana Bafana returning to the FIFA World Cup stage for the first time in 16 years, a high-profile SAFA delegation, led by president Danny Jordaan, is set to attend the 2026 Draw in Washington DC, United States, on Friday, December 5, 2025. The draw will take place at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts at 7 PM South African time.
The delegation accompanying Jordaan comprises Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos, team manager Vincent Tseka, and several key SAFA officials commercial and marketing manager Errol Madlala, travel and procurement manager Veronica Mokoena, and communications manager Mninawa Ntloko.
The draw will officially launch the biggest World Cup ever played. With 48 teams, three host nations [the United States, Canada, and Mexico], and a revamped competition structure, the ceremony in Washington DC marks the true starting point for a tournament unlike any other. The global soccer showpiece itself will take place from 11 June to 19 July 2026.
FIFA CONFIRMS FOUR POTS
FIFA has confirmed the four pots based on ranking and qualification criteria. Each of the 12 groups in the new format will include one team from each pot, ensuring a balanced distribution across the field.
Pot One – Top Seeds
This group includes the three hosts and the highest-ranked nations. Canada, Mexico, United States, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany.
Pot Two
Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria, Australia
Pot Three
Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa
Pot Four
Reserved for the lowest-ranked teams and those that qualify through the intercontinental and UEFA playoffs.
2026 FIFA WORLD CUP STRUCTURE AND DRAW RULES
FIFA’s draw process is governed by strict geographical balancing rules to prevent confederation repeats in the group stage. Only UEFA is exempt; due to its size, a maximum of two European teams may be placed in the same group. The three host nations are automatically positioned: Mexico [A1], Canada [B1], and the United States [D1].
For the first time, the tournament will feature a massive opening phase of 12 groups of four teams. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-place teams, will advance to a new Round of 32. Following the draw, FIFA will release the comprehensive official match schedule, including all dates, kickoff times, and city allocations across the three host nations. The countdown to the most ambitious World Cup truly begins with this draw, a tournament projected to shatter records for attendance, viewership, and global reach.
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