Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates provided the backbone of South Africa’s South Africa 2026 World Cup squad as the final selection was announced in Pretoria on Wednesday, with both clubs supplying eight players apiece and dominating the list of 26.
- South Africa’s World Cup squad shaped by recent domestic success
- Notable selection calls and absences
- Hugo Broos’ squad mix and World Cup group ambitions
- Captaincy and match schedule
- Tournament format, South Africa’s history, and Broos’ message
- Broos on unpredictability and his final World Cup
- South Africa squad list for the 2026 World Cup
- Goalkeepers
- Defenders
- Midfielders
- Forwards
South Africa’s World Cup squad shaped by recent domestic success
Sundowns entered the international break in peak form after winning the CAF Champions League for a second time last Sunday, overcoming Moroccan outfit FAR Rabat to claim a 2-1 aggregate score in the final.
Just a day earlier, Pirates were crowned South African Premiership champions for the first time since 2012, bringing an end to Sundowns’ run of eight straight league titles.
Notable selection calls and absences
- Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen was left out despite an impressive spell that helped his side finish third in the Premiership, behind Pirates and Sundowns.
- Petersen had been in line to be involved in World Cup warm-up matches against Panama two months ago, but appendix surgery ruled him out.
Hugo Broos’ squad mix and World Cup group ambitions
Belgian coach Hugo Broos named 26 players, including 19 who are based locally. Of the group, five are currently playing in Europe and two are featuring in the United States.
Among the 10 African qualifiers, Egypt are the only other side expected to lean heavily on home-based talent. Egypt’s approach mirrors a broader comparison to South Africa’s selection, where Hossam Hassan had already chosen 18 home-based players from a preliminary group of 27.
Captaincy and match schedule
- Ronwen Williams, the Sundowns goalkeeper, has been appointed captain of South Africa.
- South Africa begin their tournament campaign against co-hosts Mexico in the World Cup opener on June 11.
- After Mexico, the team faces the Czech Republic and then South Korea.
Tournament format, South Africa’s history, and Broos’ message
The competition offers a clear pathway to the knockout rounds: group winners and runners-up progress to the round of 32, with the tournament set to feature a record 48 teams. In addition, eight of the 12 teams finishing third in their groups will also qualify for the knockout stage.
South Africa will be chasing progress beyond the first round for the first time in four attempts. They previously exited early as qualifiers at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, and then failed to go beyond the opening stage at the 2010 tournament as hosts.
Broos acknowledged that Bafana Bafana will be considered outsiders in Group A, but insisted his squad can make history and earn a second-round berth.
Broos on unpredictability and his final World Cup
Speaking with confidence, Broos pointed to the unpredictable nature of football, remarking that shocks are part of every World Cup and asking who would have expected Morocco to reach the semi-finals at the most recent edition.
The 2026 World Cup will also be the final chapter of Broos’ football career. At 74, he previously played as a defender for the Belgium team that finished fourth at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.
Broos said: “There cannot be a greater ending to my time as a footballer and a coach than going to a World Cup. I am in charge of a squad of fighters. Who knows what we may achieve?”
South Africa squad list for the 2026 World Cup
Goalkeepers
- Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)
- Ricardo Goss (Siwelele)
- Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Defenders
- Aubrey Modiba (Sundowns)
- Khuliso Mudau (Sundowns)
- Khulumani Ndamane (Sundowns)
- Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates)
- Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates)
- Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs)
- Samukele Kabini (Molde/NOR)
- Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union/USA)
- Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City)
- Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire/USA)
- Ime Okon (Hannover/GER)
Midfielders
- Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates)
- Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates)
- Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates)
- Jayden Adams (Sundowns)
- Teboho Mokoena (Sundowns)
- Themba Zwane (Sundowns)
- Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela/POR)
Forwards
- Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates)
- Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates)
- Lyle Foster (Burnley/ENG)
- Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol/CYP)
- Iqraam Rayners (Sundowns)
