Bafana Bafana Preliminary Squad Announced for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
South Africa’s national football team, Bafana Bafana, under the guidance of head coach Hugo Broos, has revealed their 37-man preliminary squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin.
The team is set to kick off their campaign by hosting Lesotho at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on 21 March 2025, followed by an away fixture against Benin in Côte d’Ivoire four days later. Benin will act as the home team for this match due to the unsuitability of their own grounds for international matches.
Broos has included some notable players in the squad, such as in-form Orlando Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa and Percy Tau, who recently made a move to Qatar SC from Al-Ahly in January. The squad also features new faces like Deano van Rooyen from Orlando Pirates, Khulumani Ndamane and Samukelo Kabini from TS Galaxy, and Siphesihle Mkhize from Sekhukhune United.
Currently, Bafana Bafana finds themselves in second place in Group C, tied on seven points with leaders Rwanda and third-placed Benin. Lesotho, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe occupy the lower positions in the group standings, with all teams having played four games each.
The Full Bafana Squad:
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Supersport United), Sage Stephens (Stellenbosch FC), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)
Defenders: Sydney Mobbie (Supersport United), Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy), Thabo Moloisane (Stellenbosch FC), Rushwin Dortley (Kaizer Chiefs), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Deano Van Rooyen (Orlando Pirates), Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB FC), Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Samkelo Kabini (TS Galaxy), Farwaaz Basadien (Stellenbosch FC), Grant Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Midfielders: Tebogo Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sinoxolo Kwayiba (Chippa United), Ndamulelo Maphangule (Polokwane City FC), Luke Le Roux (Varnamo), Siphesihle Mkhize (Sekhukhune United), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates)
Strikers: Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates), Devin Titus (Stellenbosch FC), Oswin Appolis (Polokwane City), Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates), Tshegofatso Mabasa (Orlando Pirates), Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Ashley Cupido (Stellenbosch FC), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Elias Mokwana (Esperance de Tunis FC), Lyle Foster (Burnley FC), Percy Tau (Qatar SC), Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol)
With a strong squad at his disposal, Broos will be looking to lead Bafana Bafana to success in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, aiming to secure a spot in the prestigious tournament in 2026.
