Bradley Cross
(Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)
- Hugo Broos has named a 23-man Bafana Bafana squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
- South Africa will take on Benin and Rwanda in the first matches from Group C.
- The Belgian-born Bafana mentor left out Lyle Foster after Burnley confirmed that the striker is under special care due to mental health issues.
- For more sports news, go to the News24 Sport front page.
Hugo Broos, the head coach of Bafana Bafana, has revealed his 23-man squad as they prepare to embark on the journey to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The South Africans are in Group C alongside Nigeria, Rwanda, Zimbabwe Lesotho and Benin.
In their pursuit of securing a spot in the World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Broos’s team kick-start their qualification campaign against Benin on Saturday, 18 November (15:00) at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
Subsequently, they will embark on a journey to Rwanda, engaging in a crucial match on Tuesday, 21 November (15:00 SA time) at the Huye Stadium in Butare.
Broos has tweaked his usual selection after draws against Eswathini (0-0) and Ivory Coast (1-1) last month. He confessed on Friday that this was due to injuries, lack of form, match fitness and unforeseen circumstances.
Lyle Foster has been omitted after his Premier League club, Burnley FC, confirmed that the striker is under special care after opening up about his mental health.
READ | Burnley confirm Foster under specialist care as Bafana striker tackles mental health challenges
Bradley Cross (22) has received his first call-up after his consistent strong showing in Golden Arrows colours, while Broos named rising stars Jayden Adams (22) and Oswin Appolis (22) for a debut Bafana nod.
Bafana Bafana 23-man squad:
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu), Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United)
Defenders: Sydney Mobbie (Sekhukhune United), Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, Grant Kekana, Mothobi Mvala (all Mamelodi Sundowns), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Siyanda Xulu (SuperSport United), Bradley Cross (Golden Arrows)
Midfielders: Sphephelo Sithole (C.D. Tondela, Portugal), Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sibongiseni Mthethwa (Kaizer Chiefs), Jayden Adams (Stellenbosch).
Forwards: Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Percy Tau (Al Ahly, Egypt), Zakhele Lepasa (Orlando Pirates), Lebo Mothiba (Strasbourg FC, France), Themba Zwane, Thapelo Maseko (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota FC, USA), Oswin Appolis (Polokwane City)
The tournament is set for a groundbreaking change, expanding to feature 48 teams for the first time. With 16 more teams than the previous seven editions, the World Cup will unfold in 12 groups of four teams each.
The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to an exciting new round of 32.
The new allocation of spaces is:
- AFC (Asia) – eight places (up from 4.5)
- CAF (Africa) – nine places (up from 5)
- Concacaf (North and Central America) – six places, of which three go to hosts (up from 3.5)
- Conmebol (South America) – six places (up from 4.5)
- OFC (Oceania) – one place (up from 0.5)
- UEFA (Europe) – 16 places (up from 13)
A notable shift in World Cup qualification has occurred for CAF nations, with nine teams now securing direct qualification, as opposed to the previous five. The qualification process involves nine groups, each comprised of six teams, engaging in home-and-away round-robin matches.
The group winners will secure a direct berth to the World Cup. Simultaneously, the four best group runners-up will enter play-offs to determine the CAF representative for the inter-confederation play-offs.
Adding an extra layer of anticipation, two final spots for the World Cup will be up for grabs through a newly introduced play-off mini-tournament.
This will be Bafana’s final matches before next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast in January-February. They will feature in Group E alongside Mali, Namibia and Tunisia.
Recent Comments