WASHINGTON DC – South Africa will face tournament hosts Mexico in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ following a star-studded draw ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington DC on Friday.
Bafana Bafana have been placed in Group A alongside Mexico, Korea Republic, and one qualifier from the European play-offs (Czechia, Denmark, North Macedonia, or Republic of Ireland). The tournament opener between Mexico and South Africa will take place in Mexico City on Thursday 11 June 2026.
This is the fourth time Bafana Bafana has qualified for the FIFA World Cup, and the first time since hosting the competition in 2010.
The draw ceremony, conducted by former England captain Rio Ferdinand with assistance from sporting icons Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, Aaron Judge, and Shaquille O’Neal, revealed mouth-watering fixtures across the 12 groups. Brazil will face Morocco, the Netherlands take on Japan, and France will have a rematch against 2002 conquerors Senegal amongst the standout encounters.
Tournament debutants Cabo Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan will face stern tests against Spain, Germany, Argentina, and Portugal respectively in what promises to be a memorable first World Cup experience for these nations.
Trump Takes Centre Stage
However, the football draw was overshadowed by a series of dramatic moments involving US President Donald Trump, who received a controversial FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the ceremony.
“Mr President, this is your prize. This is your peace prize,” Infantino declared whilst presenting Trump with a gold medal, adding with a chuckle: “There is also a beautiful medal for you that you can wear everywhere you want to go.”
Trump immediately placed the medal around his neck, saying: “I’m going to wear it right now.”
The award has drawn criticism from rights groups, who argue it overlooks Trump’s hardline migration policies and military build-up near Venezuela.
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office mocked the award by posting a picture of a children’s participation medal.
In an unusual game show-style segment, Trump appeared alongside Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to draw their respective nations’ names from balls.
When Trump predictably drew the USA, he quipped: “I think I know what this is going to be now. This is shocking.”
The ceremony concluded with Trump performing his signature dance to the Village People’s “YMCA” whilst the Mexican and Canadian leaders remained seated.
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Coach Reactions
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez expressed confidence about his team’s chances in Group K, where they face Uzbekistan, a qualifier, and Colombia.
“I think contenders is the right word. But I think the favourites are the teams that have won the World Cup before because there is a psychological aspect,” Martinez said. “The 1966 team of Eusébio is the reference point for us.”
Morocco coach Walid Regragui welcomed the challenge of facing Brazil in Group C alongside Scotland and Haiti. “We’re playing against one of the favourites right from the start, and they are playing one of the favourites right from the start,” he said confidently.
Scotland manager Steve Clarke was philosophical about facing Brazil: “You always want to play against Brazil, so we have the chance to do that and I am pretty sure we will give them a good game.”
First-time qualifiers Cabo Verde and Curaçao expressed excitement about their World Cup debuts. Cabo Verde coach Bubista said: “We want to show people who we are and play with heart, a good attitude and a lot of humility.”
Looking Ahead
The tournament’s complete fixture schedule, including venues and kick-off times for all 104 matches, will be unveiled on Saturday 6 December at 18:00 CET on FIFA.com.
The tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be the largest World Cup in history with 48 teams competing across 104 matches.
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