2026 World Cup: Anxious wait for Bafana stars as squad release date approaches

Bafana Bafana players hoping to make the World Cup squad have a little over one week to force themselves into the plans of coach Hugo Broos.

This is after the timelines for the squad submission became clear with all the 48 qualified sides having between May 11 and 14 to submit their provisional squads.

During these dates, teams will submit names for between 35 and 55 players who they hope to make the final squad, meaning a number of players are racing against time to convince Broos that they have what it takes.

While Broos might already have an idea of how his team will look like, these final weeks of the season could alter his plans with the players who will make the provisional squad having up to June 1 to impress.

Who will likely make the World Cup squad?

By June 1, all final squads must have been submitted with FIFA allowing between 23 and 26 names ahead of kick off on June 11, when South Africa will open the tournament against co-hosts Mexico at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.

The next one month is therefore vital as even those who might not make the provisional team can still be added to the final one but it would be a massive statement of endorsement to be in the preliminary squad.

A number of players have been knocking on the door and Broos has his work cut out although Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates stars are likely to dominate again.

Kaizer Chiefs, whose players have been overlooked by Broos in the last two years, also have candidates, starting with goalkeeper Brandon Petersen, while co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef feels Thabiso Monyane, Bradley Cross and Lebogang Maboe also deserve to be on the plane to the World Cup.

Tight timelines for clubs to release players

“In my view, he (Petersen) deserves to be in the national team based on his performances; it’s not a gift. Same for Cross, Maboe, and Monyane, I think they are pushing, and I think it’s time for Kaizer Chiefs players to be part of the national team,” Ben Youssef said as per KickOff.

Clubs must release players for the World Cup by May 25 but there will be some exceptions for those involved in major finals.

Sundowns’ last match of the season will be played on May 24, being the second leg of the CAF Champions League final against AS FAR Rabat, and the players will likely be given a few days off before linking with the national team.

The Brazilians also have a friendly match against Bundesliga side RB Leipzig on May 29 and it remains to be seen if the big hitters will feature.