Bafana Bafana Name Provisional World Cup Squad - Hugo Broos Omits Danish Superliga Winner

John Eastwood

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Last updated: 2 hours ago

John Eastwood 2 hours ago

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Hugo Broos names 32-man provisional squad for FIFA World Cup 2026.
Key players like Gift Links and Siyabonga Ngezana omitted.
Final squad decision due by June 1 before facing Mexico, Czech Republic, and South Korea.

Hugo Broos has named 32 players in his provisional squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup (Getty Images).

Hugo Broos names 32 players for FIFA World Cup 2026

Bafana Bafana’s Belgian head coach Hugo Broos has named a 32-man preliminary squad for the upcoming World Cup.
Hugo Broos names 32 players for FIFA World Cup 2026
Key Omissions
South Africa Provisional Squad in Full
Who Will Get Cut?

The veteran coach will have until 1 June to cut down his list by at least six names. South Africa have been drawn in Group A, where they will open the tournament against hosts Mexico on 11 June.

The final two group games are against the Czech Republic and South Korea.

Key Omissions

As usual, Hugo Broos has his trusted soldiers to call upon. Gift Links of Aarhus GF is not selected despite having a stellar season at club level and winning the Danish Superliga.

There is no room for Siyabonga Ngezana (Steaua Bucharest), Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sipho Mbule (Orlando Pirates), Shandre Campbell (Club Brugge), Elias Mokwana (Al Hazem) or Bongokuhle Hlongwane of Minnesota United.

South Africa Provisional Squad in Full

Goalkeepers: Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Brandon Petersen (Kaizer Chiefs)

Defenders: Samukele Kabini (Molde), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia SC), Thabiso Monyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Ime Okon (Hannover 96), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Midfielders: Thalenthe Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela), Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates), Lebohang Maboe (Kaizer Chiefs), Brooklyn Poggenpoel (Durban City)

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

Who Will Get Cut?

Predicting the six players to be left out is no easy task. Sipho Chaine may end up being the odd man out in the goalkeeping department despite keeping 20 clean sheets in 29 PSL matches.

In defence, Thabiso Monyane and Bradley Cross are likely to miss out. One of the uncapped Olwethu Makhanya or Ime Okon will also be cut.

The final two players are likely to be Brooklyn Poggenpoel and Patrick Maswanganyi. However, Thapelo Morena may not be fit for the tournament, so Maswanganyi could still be on the flight instead.