South Africa Announces Its Final 26-Man World Cup Squad | OneFootball

As Mexico waits to officially unveil its final 26-man squad for the World Cup, Wednesday brought confirmation of the rosters for all three opponents El Tri will face in the group stage. South Africa announced the players that will be present on June 11 for the opening match at Estadio Ciudad de México. 

First came South Korea, then Czechia, and now Bafana Bafana. The only team left to reveal its list? The hosts themselves.

With just two weeks to go before the start of the FIFA World Cup, the opening match between Mexico and South Africa finally has a complete cast. 

The game will be played on Thursday, June 11, at Estadio Ciudad de México at 1:00 p.m. local time.

South Africa

Managed by Hugo Broos, the South African side returns to the World Cup for the first time in 16 years and has now confirmed its 26-player squad for the tournament hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

Back on May 21, Broos had announced a preliminary roster of 32 players. Then, on May 27, the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse hosted the official send-off event for South Africa ahead of the tournament.

Before opening their World Cup campaign against Mexico, South Africa will face Nicaragua on May 29 in what will be their final tune-up match before entering a group that includes Mexico, South Korea, and Czechia. 

Their World Cup journey begins against El Tri in the tournament opener on June 11. They will then face Czechia on June 18 in Atlanta before closing out the group stage against South Korea on June 27 at Estadio Monterrey.

Burnley striker Lyle Foster is expected to lead the attack for the African side, while Hugo Broos also raised a few eyebrows by calling up defenders Olwethu Makhanya and Bradley Cross, neither of whom has made a senior appearance for the national team yet.

Besides Makhanya, who currently plays for Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer, another notable inclusion is Chicago Fire defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, giving MLS two representatives in the South African squad.

Mamelodi Sundowns are essentially supplying the team bus at this point, with eight players from the club included in the squad, while Orlando Pirates follow closely behind with seven call-ups of their own.

South Africa squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The full roster. Source: safa.net

Goalkeepers:Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)Ricardo Goss (Mamelodi Sundowns)Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)

Defenders:Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns)Nkosinathi Sibsi (Orlando Pirates)Ime Okon (Hannover 96)Khulumani Ndamane (Mamelodi Sundowns)Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns)Samukelo Kabini (Molde FK)Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City)Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union)Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates)Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs)Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire)

Midfielders:Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns)Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates)Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela)Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Forwards:Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates)Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns)Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates)Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates)Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates)Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)Lyle Foster (Burnley FC)Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol)

More Group A News

South Korea full rosterCzech Republic full rosterA report from the Mexico training camp