Remarkably, the match falls exactly 16 years to the day since South Africa faced Mexico in the opening game of the 2010 World Cup at Soccer City, where Siphiwe Tshabalala scored his unforgettable goal in a 1-1 draw.

The 2026 tournament will be staged across Mexico, the United States and Canada, with South Africa drawn into Group A alongside Mexico, Korea Republic, and a yet-to-be-determined European qualifier.

Their final group opponent will come from Play-Off Path D, featuring Czech Republic or Ireland and Denmark or North Macedonia.

The draw took place on Friday evening at the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC and marked a major milestone for head coach Hugo Broos, who now has clarity on Bafana’s path at football’s biggest tournament. FIFA will confirm match venues and kick-off times on Saturday.

South Africa were represented at the draw by SAFA president Danny Jordaan, Broos, team manager Vincent Tseka, commercial and marketing manager Errol Madlala, travel and procurement manager Veronica Mokoena, and communications manager Mninawa Ntloko.

Africa will be represented by Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Cape Verde, alongside Bafana Bafana.

Elsewhere, defending champions Argentina were drawn with Algeria, Austria and debutants Jordan, while five-time winners Brazil face a tough group against Morocco, Scotland and Haiti.

France will meet Senegal, Norway and a play-off side, as European champions Spain take on Cape Verde, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.

England were grouped with Croatia, Ghana and Panama, Germany with Ivory Coast, Ecuador and Curaçao, and Portugal with Uzbekistan, Colombia and a play-off team.

Hosts USA received a favourable group with Paraguay, Australia and a European qualifier.

The 2026 World Cup will be the largest in history, expanding to 48 teams and 104 matches played across 16 venues. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the round of 32. Six qualification spots remain open and will be decided in the March play-offs.

2026 FIFA World Cup draw

Group A: Mexico, South Africa, Korea Republic, Play-off Path D

Group B: Canada, Play-off Path A, Switzerland, Qatar

Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland

Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Play-off Path C

Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador

Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Play-off Path B, Tunisia

Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand

Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay

Group I: France, Senegal, Play-off Path 1, Norway

Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan

Group K: Portugal, Play-off Path 1, Uzbekistan, Colombia

Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

Emotional Innocent Maela wishes Thembinkosi Lorch well at Downs