Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has announced his 32-man preliminary squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Bafana play Mexico in their opening match of the tournament on 11 June.
With just three weeks remaining, Broos is not yet settled on his final squad.
Surprise inclusions in the preliminary squad are Lebohang Maboe, Iqraam Rayners, Bradley Cross, Thabiso Monyane and Brooklyn Poggenpoel.
The preliminary squad was sent to FIFA last year however the South African Football Association (SAFA) only made it available on Thursday.
Three Kaizer Chiefs players included in Bafana squad
In the previous two major tournaments, Hugo Broos decided not to bring any Amakhosi players along.
Maboe, Monyane, Cross and Brandon Petersen have been added to the preliminary squad. The trio have been in form this season helping Chiefs to secure third place in the Betway Premiership.
Drawn in Group A alongside hosts Mexico, the Czech Republic and South Korea, Hugo Broos’ men will believe they have a realistic chance of reaching the knockout rounds for the first time.
A win and a draw could be enough to secure qualification from the group but even one win might be enough if they finish as one of the best third-place finishers.
Bafana’s final World Cup squad is expected to be announced by 1 June as per FIFA’s deadline.
Broos is expected to cut atleast six to nine players from his preliminary squad. The next few days will decide which players make the final Bafana Bafana cut.
