By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has announced his 32-member preliminary squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
South Africa will kick off their campaign against co-hosts Mexico before further fixtures against Czechia and South Korea.
This year’s FIFA World Cup will be hosted by the United States of America, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026.
The team will assemble in Johannesburg on Monday, 25 May 2026 and the camp will start with 24 players as the Mamelodi Sundowns players and the overseas-based contingent will still be out of the country.
Sundowns will only return to South Africa on Tuesday, 26 May as they face Morocco side AS Far in the second leg of their CAF Champions League final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Sunday, 24 May 2026.
The final team for the FIFA World Cup will be announced at Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria on Wednesday, 27 May 2026 and Broos will be joined by South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa and South African Football Association (SAFA) President Dr Danny Jordaan, among others, as the names of the traveling 26 players are confirmed to the nation
Broos is now Bafana Bafana’s longest-serving coach, with a record of 24 wins, 19 draws and just six defeats. The team’s FIFA ranking has climbed to 61st, with the top 50 well within sight.
Under his watch, the national team earned a bronze medal at the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire – their first continental podium since 2000 – after a campaign that saw them defeat Morocco and reach the semi-finals.
South Africa’s provisional squad:
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele FC), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Brandon Petersen (Kaizer Chiefs)
Defenders: Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabiso Monyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khulumani Ndamane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ime Okon (Hannover 96), Samukele Kabini (Molde FK), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire)
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Brooklyn Poggenpoel (Durban City), Lebohang Maboe (Kaizer Chiefs), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Sphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela)
Forwards: Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates), Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley), Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates), Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol).