Bafana Bafana could potentially face co-hosts Mexico at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as they have been placed in pot 3.
Under the guidance of coach Hugo Broos, the team qualified for their first World Cup since 2002 by defeating Rwanda 3-0 last month.
This victory, along with a friendly win against Zambia, was enough for Bafana to secure their position in pot 3.
Bafana Bafana in pot 3 of the World Cup draw
According to the final draw procedures, the host nations, Canada, Mexico, and the USA will be allocated to pot 1.
The remaining 39 qualified teams will be distributed among four pots of 12 teams each, based on the FIFA rankings released on 19 November 2025.
Additionally, the two placeholders from the FIFA World Cup 2026 Play-Off Tournament and four European play-off placeholders will be placed in pot 4.
As for the teams Bafana Bafana might face at the World Cup, they could end up in either an easy or challenging group, depending on the draw.
A fortunate draw could see them grouped with Canada, Iran, and Haiti. Conversely, a difficult draw might pit South Africa against Argentina, Croatia, and Italy.
With Mexico in pot 1, there is a slight possibility of repeating the opening match of the 2010 World Cup.
Bafana Bafana likely to get a tough group at the World Cup
Pot 1: Canada, Mexico, USA, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany
Pot 2: Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, IR Iran, Korea Republic, Ecuador, Austria, Australia
Pot 3: Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa
Pot 4: Jordan, Cabo Verde, Ghana, Curaçao, Haiti, New Zealand, European Play-Off A, B, C and D, FIFA Play-Off Tournament 1 and 2
