Mamelodi Sundowns defender Keanu Cupido has opened up on his chances of making the Bafana Bafana squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The centre-back has been one of the top-performing players for Sundowns under Miguel Cardoso in the 2025/26 campaign. Cupido has been a regular starter for Masandawana in the backline, proving to be a reliable figure after joining the club in January 2025.
Cupido signed with Sundowns on a long-term contract from Cape Town City FC. Since arriving at Chloorkop, the 28-year-old quickly became a fan favourite at Downs for his solid defensive and leadership qualities.
In the current campaign, the former SA youth international played a major role in Cardoso’s plans at Sundowns. Cupido is on course to win both the CAF Champions League and the Betway Premiership titles to close off the 2025/26 season.
For Sundowns to win the league, they will be hoping that second-placed Orlando Pirates fail to collect maximum points in their last game of the season against Orbit College FC. As it stands, the Tshwane giants are at the top of the log with 68 points, while the Sea Robbers are second with 66 points.
On the continental front, Sundowns have gained a slight advantage to win the Champions League after claiming a narrow 1-0 win over AS FAR in the first leg of the final at Loftus Versfeld Stadium this past weekend.
The Brazilians will push for a good performance in Rabat as they look to finally reclaim the elusive continental crown, their first since their historic 2016 triumph. In the hard-fought encounter against AS FAR, Cupido delivered another defensive masterclass to ensure his side kept a crucial clean sheet.
The resilient centre-back revealed he had to take injections for a lingering shoulder injury just to put his hand up for final selection. Cupido sustained the knock a few weeks ago during a heated Betway Premiership clash against Kaizer Chiefs.
With Cupido firmly cementing his status as one of the finest-performing central defenders in the PSL, calls have intensified from fans and pundits alike for Hugo Broos to include the hard-tackling enforcer in the final Bafana Bafana squad ahead of next month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the USA.
WHAT CUPIDO SAID ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF MAKING THE BAFANA SQUAD
Cupido has responded to the possibility of earning the nod in the Bafana squad, admitting that he would appreciate the call-up to represent the national team on the global stage.
“It’s up to the coach [Hugo Broos] to choose the team. If I do get chosen, I’ll be honoured, and if I don’t, I’ll be happy for the other guys that are going to the World Cup,” Cupido said.
“You know, as a country, there is a lot of talent as well. If I do get an opportunity, I’ll really be honoured to represent the national team.”
Hugo Broos will announce his squad on the 27th of May 2026 at the Union Building in Pretoria.
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