Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has unveiled his 32-man preliminary squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, opting for a string of high-profile wildcard selections ahead of the global showpiece.
The biggest spectacle in world football is set to kick off on 11 June 2026, when South Africa square off against co-hosts Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Coyoacán, Mexico City—a thrilling repeat of their memorable 2010 World Cup opening showdown.
Drawn in Group A, Bafana Bafana are also scheduled to face South Korea and the Czech Republic. This tournament marks South Africa’s highly anticipated return to the global stage for the first time since 2010, when they made history as the first—and so far only—African nation to host the FIFA World Cup.
Bafana will be based in Pachuca, Mexico, for the better part of the tournament and will host their training sessions at the Universidad del Futbol. Broos previously stated that he selected this high-altitude city to help the squad acclimate to local conditions ahead of the tournament’s opening match.
RECALLS, REWARDS, AND FRESH BLOOD IN BAFANA BAFANA’S PRELIMINARY SQUAD
In-form Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Lebohang Maboe has forced his way onto the provisional squad following a string of highly polished, impressive performances for the Glamour Boys in the Betway Premiership this season. His inclusion hands him a sensational international lifeline, marking his return to the Bafana Bafana fold a staggering five years after earning his last cap back in 2021.
Maboe is joined in the selection by his Naturena teammate Brandon Petersen, who has caught the eye of the national team selectors after a remarkable resurgence since returning from an injury setback. Petersen’s inclusion adds major fuel to a highly competitive four-man goalkeeping department that features undisputed number one and captain Ronwen Williams, Ricardo Goss, and Orlando Pirates’ Sipho Chaine. With Hugo Broos expected to take only three shot-stoppers to North America, a massive selection headache looms.
Amakhosi’s defensive resurgence has been further acknowledged, with resolute left-back Bradley Cross also making the squad alongside fellow Glamour Boys defender Thabiso Monyane. Elsewhere, Durban City FC midfield anchor Brooklyn Poggenpoel stands out as another notable inclusion in the national team, a just reward after helping his side to a historic 2026 Nedbank Cup triumph.
Upfront, there is a place for Iqraam Rayners, who has been performing well for Mamelodi Sundowns in their relentless CAF Champions League campaign.
DEFENSIVE ADJUSTMENTS AND RUTHLESS AXINGS BY BROOS
Broos has been forced to shuffle his defensive cards, opening the door for Philadelphia Union centre-back Olwethu Makhanya. Despite being overlooked by Broos for some time, the MLS-based defender has finally earned his look-in. His inclusion comes at the expense of Siyabonga Ngezana, who misses out after only recently returning to action for Romanian giants FCSB following an injury layoff.
Concurrently, Broos has shown his ruthless side, swinging the axe on several high-profile names. Al-Ittihad SC forward Thembinkosi Lorch and the Mamelodi Sundowns defensive duo of Keanu Cupido and Grant Kekana have missed out on the list. Other notable exclusions from the 32-man roster include Gift Links, Sipho Mbule, Elias Mokwana, and Bongokuhle Hlongwane—who pays the price for a disappointing showing against Panama in March—while the complete omission of Mohau Nkota stands out as a massive surprise.
Broos is expected to cut the training squad down to a final 26-man travelling roster next Wednesday, 27 May 2026, in a highly anticipated, prestigious ceremony alongside president Cyril Ramaphosa at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Following the final squad announcement, Bafana are set to fine-tune their preparations against Nicaragua on Friday, 29 May 2026, in Johannesburg. The international friendly will serve as their final preparatory match on South African soil before the squad jets off to establish their tournament base camp in Mexico ahead of the global showpiece.
BAFANA BAFANA PRELIMINARY SQUAD OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED BY HUGO BROOS
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