Coach Hugo Broos will have to make several difficult calls before naming his final 26-man Bafana Bafana squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026.
Broos recently announced a 32-man preliminary squad for football’s greatest showpiece.
FIFA regulations only allow each national side to select 26 players for the tournament itself.
That means six players will miss out before the final squad is confirmed on Wednesday, 27 May.
A number of Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates stars appear vulnerable heading into the final selection phase with these five players likely to be cut.
FIVE KAIZER CHIEFS AND ORLANDO PIRATES STARS LIKELY TO BE CUT
Four Kaizer Chiefs players earned places in the preliminary squad.
Amakhosi captain Brandon Petersen received the nod alongside Bradley Cross, Lebohang Maboe and Thabiso Monyane.
Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates had nine players included in the provisional squad, namely Nkosinathi Sibisi, Sipho Chaine, Relebohile Mofokeng, Evidence Makgopa, Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Patrick Maswanganyi, Thalente Mbatha and Kamogelo Sebelebele.
As reported by The South African’s Eliot Mahlase, three Kaizer Chiefs players could be among those omitted.
Cross, Maboe and Monyane appear the most likely to miss out.
Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates attacker Sebelebele may also find himself on the outside looking in.
The Bucs forward did not feature in Bafana Bafana’s recent back-to-back friendlies against Panama.
In addition, Broos already boasts several attacking options heading into the tournament.
TOUGH CALLS FOR BROOS TO MAKE
Broos still faces two major decisions beyond those four projected omissions.
The biggest debate surrounds the goalkeeping department.
Will Broos back Sipho Chaine or Brandon Petersen?
Chaine has enjoyed an outstanding Betway Premiership campaign, keeping 21 clean sheets in 30 matches for Orlando Pirates.
Meanwhile, Peterson has produced several massive performances in recent weeks.
The Kaizer Chiefs captain starred against both Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns in high-pressure fixtures, outshining Chaine and Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams in both matches.
However, Chaine’s consistency across the season may ultimately give him the edge – leaving Kaizer Chiefs no players in the final squad.
That leaves one final spot up for debate.
Durban City midfielder Brooklyn Poggenpoel could miss out given the fierce competition in the middle of the park.
Teboho Mokoena, Thalente Mbatha, Sphephelo Sithole and Jayden Adams already form a well-established part of Broos’s midfield core heading into the FIFA World Cup.
Ultimately, the six players Hugo Broos decides to cut will come down to how many players Broos wishes to select in each position.
Which six players do you think will be cut ahead of the final 26-man FIFA World Cup 2026 squad?
Give us your thoughts, views and predictions in the comments section below …
