Live: Hugo Broos names Bafana Bafana 2026 FIFA World Cup squad

We are live from the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria, where Hugo Broos names his final Bafana Bafana squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup this evening, with proceedings set to begin at 19:00 in a ceremony officially themed United by Hope, Driven by Pride.

Follow the Bafana Bafana 2026 World Cup squad announcement live here:

President Cyril Ramaphosa, SAFA president Dr Danny Jordaan, and Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie are all in attendance tonight as South Africa sends off its national team for the country’s first FIFA World Cup appearance since 2010.

SAFA President Danny Jordaan — Danny Jordaan. Photo credit: Imago

Broos will trim his 32-player preliminary squad down to a final group of between 23 and 26 players, having confirmed last week that six players will not make the cut:

“I am sure there will be players who are very disappointed, but that is a choice I have to make.”

The goalkeeping department has generated the most intense debate of any position: Ronwen Williams, Sipho Chaine, Ricardo Goss, and Brandon Petersen all had exceptional domestic seasons, but only two or three will board the plane to North America.

Ronwen Williams of Bafana Bafana — Ronwen Williams of South Africa. Photo by Vincent Kamto/Imago

In midfield, Teboho Mokoena, Jayden Adams, and Patrick Maswanganyi are expected to be central to Broos’s plans, while the attacking positions are the most fiercely contested in the squad, with Oswin Appollis, Evidence Makgopa, Relebohile Mofokeng, Iqraam Rayners, and Lyle Foster — whose Burnley side were relegated from the Premier League in April — all vying for places.

Bafana Bafana star Lyle Foster — Lyle Foster. Photo by Thor Wegner/Imago

South Africa are in Group A, opening their World Cup campaign against co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca on June 11 in the opening match of the entire 48-team tournament, before facing Czech Republic in Atlanta on June 18 and South Korea in Monterrey on June 24.

Before departure, Bafana will play a send-off friendly against Nicaragua at Orlando Stadium on Friday, May 29, with kick-off at 18:00.

Stay with us from 19:00 for live updates, the full squad announcement, and reaction as Hugo Broos names the 26 players who will carry South Africa’s World Cup hopes this summer.