FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour Set To Visit South Africa
Sportswire can confirm that the FIFA World Cup trophy will visit South Africa later this month as part of its global tour, with stops scheduled for Gauteng and Cape Town.
The trophy tour has become a FIFA tradition, aimed at building excitement around the world ahead of the tournament, which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States in June.
Bafana Bafana will take part in this year’s World Cup after qualifying for the tournament in October last year, marking their first qualification since 2002. Although South Africa featured at the 2010 World Cup, that appearance came as the host nation.
When the trophy arrives in South Africa, it will be accompanied by a FIFA delegation as well as legendary players who have previously won the World Cup.
In an email sent to SAFA president Danny Jordaan, Coca-Cola, FIFA’s long-standing partner, confirmed that the trophy tour will take place in Gauteng and Cape Town.
“On behalf of The Coca-Cola Company, I would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to you and the people of South Africa on the remarkable achievement of qualifying for the World Cup,” Coca-Cola said in the letter.
“We recognise the immense pride and joy this accomplishment brings to the country, uniting communities and inspiring future generations.
“Hence, it is my pleasure to invite you to join us for the upcoming FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola during its stop in Johannesburg from 30–31 January 2026, and in Cape Town on 1 February 2026.
“As a long-standing partner of FIFA, Coca-Cola is proud to give fans across the globe a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the most coveted trophy in the world up close ahead of the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup 26™.
“The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola will make more than 70 stops across 170-plus days, offering football fans around the world, including those in South Africa, a unique chance to see the FIFA World Cup™ Original Trophy up close.
“FIFA World Cup 26™ will be the biggest edition yet, spanning three host nations — the United States, Mexico and Canada. With more teams, more matches and more celebratory moments than ever before, we are thrilled to help bring fans closer to the heart of the action as excitement builds globally.”
Bafana Bafana, who will be competing in the FIFA World Cup for the fourth time in June, will open their 2026 campaign against co-hosts Mexico on 11 June in Mexico City — a repeat of the opening match of the 2010 World Cup, which was played at FNB Stadium in South Africa.
