With very few players who play outside South Africa and elements who have begun to stand out in local football, but who will debut with Bafana Bafana in the World Cup 2026Belgian coach Hugo Broos He announced his list of 26 called up to travel to Mexico for the World Cup.
The World Cup group is led by the 36-year-old veteran playmaker Themba Zwane and where he also took into account the defenders Olwethu Makhanya and Bradley Gross, who have not yet made their debut for the national team.
SOUTH AFRICA PRESENTS ITS CALL FOR THE WORLD CUP. ??
The South African National Team announced its players for the next World Cup. “I think this rival will be very difficult for Mexico,” commented @YyaoDelaTorreM.#FSRadioMX pic.twitter.com/wcG7r5cdZF
— FOX Sports actions MX (@FOXSportsMX) Would perhaps perhaps 28, 2026
Of the 26 called up, 19 play in South African football and 7 in different leaguesboth from Europe and the United States, which demonstrates the confidence that exists in local talent and how an award has been handled for the players who qualified for the World Cup after 16 years of absence.
In the World Cup relationship there were few surprises on the part of coach Hugo Broos, who largely remained faithful to the players who achieved the first qualification of “Bafana Bafana” for a World Cup in the last four World Cups.
Among the players who play outside South Africa appear the central defender Makhanya, 22 years old, who plays for the Philadelphia Union of the Fundamental League Soccerwhile Gross, 25 years old and who came through the Newcastle United youth academy, is a left back for Kaizer Chiefs, a native team from Soweto.
Neither of them had participated in the qualifying phase, but the desire to have more defensive options motivated their call-up and their inclusion in the final list. where left wing defender Aubrey Modiba also appears.
There were doubts about this player’s inclusion in the World Cup because he missed the second leg of the CAF Champions League final. last Sunday at Mamelodi Sundowns with a hamstring injury.
#Football2Day – ??
The 26 chosen by Hugo Broos?? who will represent South Africa in the 2026 World Cup??????
The coach’s biggest surprises are defenders Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union) and Bradley Gross (Kaizer Chiefs), who made the final list without? pic.twitter.com/uDOXElZ7Nn
— Luis Omar Tapia (@LuisOmarTapia) Would perhaps perhaps 27, 2026
Burnley striker Lyle Foster will lead the attack, and Broos believes Zwane’s experience and ball skills are vital to the team. in which 19 of the 26 players play in the South African league.
There are great expectations because the World Cup seems to be the last bet in the career of the 74-year-old Belgian coach Bross, after he confirmed his retirement from his career at the end of his participation in the World Cup.
“I know the players who have been left out will be very disappointed tonight,” Broos said. “Some very difficult decisions had to be made. I hope I have chosen the right ones.”
Bafana Bafana have participated in three World Cup tournaments in their entire history. The first in 1998 and repeated in 2002, and later they were the hosts in 2010 until the date they will return to the World Cup stage.
South Africa will open the World Cup on June 11 at 1:00 p.m. in CDMX; Then, on June 18, they will go to Atlanta to face the Czech Republic on June 18 at 10:00 a.m. and on June 24 to South Korea in the city of Monterrey at 7:00 p.m.
The list of summoned
The South Africa national team squad list is made up of the following players:
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates).
Defenses: Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, Khulumani Ndamane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union, USA), Bradley Gross (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Nkosinathi Sibisi, Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates),Ime Okon Ime Okon (Hannover 96, Germany), Samukele Kabini (Molde) FK, Norway), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire, USA).
HE PRESENTED HIS CALL FOR THE WORLD CUP! ???
South Africa revealed its call for the 2026 World Cup. Coach Hugo Broos presented a list with few players in Europe and also opted for some young people with great projection? https://t.co/fWRblCvWfO pic.twitter.com/xuWqp4REA9
— MedioTiempo (@mediotiempo) Would perhaps perhaps 27, 2026
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela, Portugal).
Fronts: Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Proof Makgopa, Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Iqraam Rayners, Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol, Cyprus).
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