By Levy Masiteng
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos on Wednesday named his final 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Orlando Pirates contributing the largest number of players to the national side.
The squad was unveiled during a national send-off dinner hosted by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Sefako M. Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria.
Orlando Pirates have eight players in the squad, while Mamelodi Sundowns have seven representatives, underlining the dominance of the country’s two leading clubs ahead of the tournament in Mexico, the United States and Canada.
The squad includes goalkeepers Ronwen Williams, Ricardo Goss and Sipho Chaine.
Defenders selected by Broos are Khuliso Mudau, Olwethu Makhanya, Bradley Cross, Aubrey Modiba, Thabang Matuludi, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Ime Okon, Samukele Kabini, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Kamogelo Sebelebele and Khulumani Ndamane.
The midfielders are Teboho Mokoena, Thalente Mbatha, Jayden Adams and Sphephelo Sithole.
The attacking line-up features Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa, Lyle Foster, Iqraam Rayners, Relebohile Mofokeng, Themba Zwane and Thapelo Maseko.
Ramaphosa praised the team for ending South Africa’s long absence from the FIFA World Cup and urged the squad to target the title.
“Bafana Bafana has done it. Bafana Bafana is back. Stronger. Focused. Fearless. Hungrier,” Ramaphosa said.
“The people of South Africa have waited a long time for this moment. We have been behind our team in the stadiums, in our homes and in our hearts.”
He said the team had already made history by qualifying for the tournament for the first time in more than two decades.
“As a team, you have already made history by qualifying for the first time in more than twenty years. Now we want to see you lift that trophy,” he said.
In a light-hearted message to the players, Ramaphosa added: “Asifuni group stage. Asifuni knockout rounds. Asifuni ukuzwa the words ‘elimination’ or ‘bowing out’. You are bringing the FIFA World Cup trophy home.”
The president said the squad would carry the hopes of millions of South Africans onto the global stage.
“When you arrive in Mexico City, you will be carrying with you the dreams of more than 60 million South Africans. We are with you, behind you and beside you all the way,” he said.
“Bafana Bafana are our emissaries of hope and the standard-bearers of the national flag. The diversity of our squad and technical team is a reminder to the world that in our constitutional democracy there is room and opportunity for all to realise their potential and fulfil their dreams.”
Ramaphosa closed by pledging to witness South Africa lifting the trophy.
“I will be there when you lift the trophy on the 19th of July. And, yes, I will declare it a public holiday,” he said to applause.
Bafana Bafana open their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against co-host Mexico at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11, in a repeat of their 2010 opening clash in South Africa.
Kick-off is scheduled for 9:00pm SA time (1:00pm Mexico City time).
South Africa has been drawn in Group A alongside Mexico, Czechia and South Korea.
Bafana Bafana’s last FIFA World Cup appearance was in 2010, when South Africa hosted the tournament.
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