The FIFA World Cup trophy arrived in Gauteng on Friday, with President Cyril Ramaphosa formally receiving it during a ceremony at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. The visit forms part of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour ahead of the 2026 tournament and follows South Africa’s qualification for the World Cup after a 16-year absence. The moment matters now because it places Gauteng at the centre of South Africa’s re-entry into global football and signals the start of the country’s build-up to the 2026 competition.