South Africa: President Cyril Ramaphosa receives the FIFA World Cup original trophy at the Union Buildings in Tshwane, Pretoria during the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour on Friday, Jan 30, 2026.
Reportedly, the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour was organised by Coca-Cola that brought the most coveted prize in football to South Africa. SA’s football story is rooted in defining moments, from first qualifying in 1998, and then to hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
After 16 years, South Africa has now qualified again for the FIFA World Cup and marked a powerful return to the global football stage. Arrival of the trophy at the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre at the Union Buildings represented hope, pride, memory and momentum.
🇿🇦President @CyrilRamaphosa joined by FIFA Legend Mr Marcel Desailly, unveiling the FIFA World Cup™️ Original Trophy during the FIFA World Cup™️ 2026 SA Trophy Tour held at the Union Buildings.#FIFAWorldCup 🏆🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/7msVCAtMc7
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) January 30, 2026
It marks the symbolic beginning of South Africa’s return to the FIFA World Cup, which is a moment in which the future of South African football is placed, both physically and emotionally into the hands of its people.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola in South Africa is more than a tour, it is a homecoming.
Arrival of FIFA World Cup trophy in South Africa during the trophy tour in Africa has marked a great beginning. The trophy will go to the countries that have qualified for the tournament. It first arrived at Union Building in Pretoria, then from 9:00 a.m. media set-up began.
Guests arrived at 12:00 p.m. and the trophy also arrived at 12:00 p.m. Then the official proceedings at the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre in Union Building began at 1:00 p.m.
🇿🇦President @CyrilRamaphosa receives the FIFA World Cup™ Original Trophy this afternoon at the Union Buildings in Tshwane. pic.twitter.com/8zkM8gyrkf
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) January 30, 2026
Unveiling of the trophy by President Cyril Ramaphosa was observed at 1:35 p.m. Photo moments with the trophy including Bafana Bafana squad took place at 1:40 p.m. the program concluded at 2:00 p.m.
The FIFA World Cup is a golden trophy that is awarded to the winners of the FIFA World Cup association football tournament. Since the advent of the World Cup in 1930, two different trophies have been used i.e. the Jules Rimet Trophy from 1930 to 1970, and the FIFA World Cup Trophy from 1974 to the present day. The production cost of the current trophy is estimated at $242,700.
🇿🇦President @CyrilRamaphosa with the FIFA World Cup™️ Original Trophy during the FIFA World Cup™️ 2026 SA Trophy Tour held at the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre at the Union Buildings.
The Trophy’s arrival represents hope, pride, memory, and momentum. It marks the symbolic… pic.twitter.com/djk523ZL0L
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) January 30, 2026
The first trophy was originally named as Victory but later renamed in honour of FIFA President Jules Rimet. It was made of gold-plated sterling silver and a lapis lazuli base. The subsequent trophy called as the FIFA World Cup Trophy was later introduced in 1974.