Chiefs star, uncapped player headline Bafana World Cup squad

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has named his 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States set for June, with South Africa drawn in Group A alongside hosts Mexico, Czech Republic and South Korea.

History repeats itself as Bafana open their campaign against Mexico, the same opponent they faced in the 2010 tournament opener, where Siphiwe Tshabalala famously gave South Africa the lead in a 1-1 draw.

Broos sprung a few surprises in his selection, handing a maiden call-up to former Stellenbosch FC centre-back Olwethu Makhanya, who is currently based in the USA with Philadelphia under South African-born coach Bradley Carnell.

Kaizer Chiefs defender Bradley Cross is the only Amakhosi player to make the final squad, with his inclusion raising eyebrows. His club teammates Brandon Peterson, Lebo Maboe and Thabiso Monyane all miss out on the global showpiece.

There is, however, a welcome return for Themba Zwane, who missed the Africa Cup of Nations through injury. Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams, instrumental in their CAF Champions League triumph, also earns his recall to the national setup.

Meanwhile, Broos has trimmed down his Bafana Bafana preliminary 32-man squad, with six players cut from the final list. Among those omitted are the Kaizer Chiefs trio of Peterson, Maboe and Monyane, alongside Durban City midfielder Brooklyn Poggenpoel, Thapelo Morena and Patrick Maswanganyi.

𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: Bafana Bafana confirm their 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup 🇿🇦🚨#DStvFIFAWorldCup2026 | #EverythingCanWait pic.twitter.com/ECXBJhJuqO
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 27, 2026

The World Cup is a swansong for their Belgian tactician Hugo Broos, 74, who has already said he will call time on his coaching career after the finals.

The former defender quit international football as a player after the 1986 finals that were also hosted in Mexico, where he helped Belgium to fourth place.

South Africa have appeared in three previous World Cup finals, having debuted in 1998. They qualified again in 2002 and hosted the tournament in 2010. They exited in the group stages on each occasion.

SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)

Defenders: Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, Khulumani Ndamane (all Mamelodi Sundowns), Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union, USA), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Nkosinathi Sibisi, Kamogelo Sebelebele (both Orlando Pirates), Ime Okon (Hannover 96, Germany), Samukele Kabini (Molde FK, Norway), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire, USA)

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Jayden Adams (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela, Portugal)

Forwards: Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa, Relebohile Mofokeng (all Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Iqraam Rayners, Themba Zwane (all Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol, Cyprus)

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