Pirates miss out but Chiefs & Sundowns dominate SA's WC squad!

Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Shandre Campbell are the notable absentees from the South Africa U20 team that will compete in the U20 World Cup to be played in Chile from September 27.

The U20 AFCON champions have been placed in Group E alongside France, the United States, and New Caledonia. Egypt, Morocco, and Nigeria are the other three nations that will represent the continent in the global competition.

Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations champions Amajita continue their work under the watchful eye of coach Raymond Mdaka. Mdaka's SA Under-20 charges are preparing for the Under-20 FIFA World Cup to be held in Chile later this month.@pefmo_za @NUTRITECHFIT @flysaa pic.twitter.com/49VNrjTH0X
— SAFA.net (@SAFA_net) September 3, 2025

Australia, Saudi Arabia, Japan, South Korea, Panama, the United States, Cuba, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Italy, France, Ukraine, Spain, and Norway are the other nations that have qualified for the competition.

Amajita coach has now confirmed his final squad for the competition; Club Brugge and Orlando Pirates were not willing to let Campbell and Mbokazi join the U20 national team.

Who has made the squad?

Interestingly, no player from Bucs has made the squad, but Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs are well represented. Coach Raymond Mdaka has given Queens Park Rangers teenager Tylon Smith has made the squad.

The Glamour Boys' new signing, Luke Baartman, and teammate Mfundo Vilakazi join Masandawana youngsters Kutlwano Lethlaku, Siyabonga Mabena, and Asekho Tiwani in the U20 team.

Coach Raymond Mdaka announces the final team to represent South Africa at the FIFA Under-20 Men's World Cup in Chile later this month. pic.twitter.com/zNGHcg7lnw
— SAFA.net (@SAFA_net) September 18, 2025

Amajita's first game of the campaign will be on Monday, September 29, against heavyweights France. Their second fixture will be with New Caledonia before they conclude their pool assignments with the United States.

After winning the AFCON a couple of months ago, Amajita will be aiming to defy the odds to go all the way and reach the latter stages of the 2025 FIFA World Cup.