Head coach Hugo Broos has named his preliminary squad of 31 players for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The South African national team, Bafana Bafana, will start their journey to the next World Cup with a double-header against Benin and Rwanda in October and November respectively.
The team will first take on Benin at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on the weekend of 17-19 October, before travelling to Huye to face Rwanda on 21 November. The Belgian tactician has selected a 31-man squad for the qualifiers, which he will trim down to 23 players in the coming days.
The team will then go into camp on 13 November. The squad includes a mix of experienced and young players, with goalkeepers Ronwen Williams, Veli Mothwa and Melusi Buthelezi, defenders Sydney Mobbie, Grant Kekana, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Aubrey Modiba, Thabiso Monyane, Mothobi Mvala, Siyanda Xulu, Given Msimango, Bradley Cross, Thapelo Maseko, Taariq Fielies, Thapelo Xoki, Themba Mantshiyane, Ime Okon, Thapelo Morena, Sfiso Hlanti, and Khuliso Mudau. Midfielders Teboho Mokoena, Grant Margeman, Jayden Adams, Njablu Blom, Miguel Timm, Thabang Monare, Sibongiseni Mthethwa, Sphephelo Sithole, Ethan Brooks, and Mlungisi Mbunjana, and forwards Mihlali Mayambela, Themba Zwane, Evidence Makgopa, Khanyiso Mayo, Percy Tau, Zakhele Lepasa, Lyle Foster, Lebogang Mothiba, Monnapule Saleng, Tshepang Moremi, Elias Mokwana, Bongokhule Hlongwane, and Oswin Appollis, make up the rest of the squad.
The South African team will be looking to build on their impressive performance in the last World Cup qualifiers, where they finished second in their group and narrowly missed out on a place in the 2022 World Cup. The team will be hoping to make the most of this opportunity and qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
