South Africa’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup marks their first appearance at the global showpiece since Bafana Bafana hosted the event in 2010.
The team’s preparations for their long-awaited return to the World Cup are taking shape under the guidance of coach Hugo Broos.
They secured top spot in their qualification group after defeating Rwanda in their final qualifier in October 2025. Despite being considered one of the underdog teams heading into the tournament, Bafana Bafana will feel relieved to carry less pressure this time around.
Thousands of South African fans are expected to travel to the United States and Mexico, similar to the passionate support shown by Mamelodi Sundowns supporters during the 2025 Club World Cup. However, the national team will not be counted among the pre-tournament favourites.
In their last World Cup outing, South Africa famously beat France but failed to progress beyond the group stage, becoming the first host nation ever to exit at that stage.
That tournament still produced one of the most memorable moments in World Cup history when Siphiwe Tshabalala unleashed a stunning strike to open the scoring in the 2010 curtain-raiser at Soccer City, sending 84,000 fans into raptures.
As the first African nation to host a World Cup, South Africa were expected to build on that legacy, but they have not qualified for the tournament since then.
At the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Bafana Bafana equalled their best-ever performance in a major competition by finishing fourth, matching their 2007 achievement. That momentum played a key role in securing their return to the global stage in 2026.
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Renaldo Leaner (Sekhukhune United), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Darren Johnson (AmaZulu)
Defenders: Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Khulumani Ndamane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire), Samukele Kabini (Molde), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ime Okon (Hannover 96), Deano van Rooyen (Orlando Pirates), Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers), Vuyo Letlapa (Sekhukhune United), Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union)
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Yaya Sithole (Tondela), Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Luke Le Roux (Portsmouth), Ndamulelo Maphangule (Polokwane City), Mthetheleli Mthiyane (Stellenbosch)
Forwards: Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley), Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota United), Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mohau Nkota (Al-Ettifaq), Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates), Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates), Yanela Mbuthuma (Orlando Pirates)
Upcoming World Cup Fixtures:
June 11, 2026: Mexico vs South Africa, Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico
June 18, 2026: Czechia vs South Africa, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, United States
June 25, 2026: South Africa vs South Korea, Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe, Mexico
Recent Results:
March 31, 2026: South Africa 1–2 Panama, Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa
March 27, 2026: South Africa 1–1 Panama, FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
January 4, 2026: South Africa 1–2 Cameroon, Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco
January 1, 2026: Zimbabwe 2–3 South Africa, Tangier Grand Stadium, Tangier, Morocco
December 29, 2025: Egypt 1–0 South Africa, Tangier Grand Stadium, Tangier, Morocco
December 22, 2025: South Africa 2–1 Angola, Marrakech Stadium, Marrakech, Morocco
December 16, 2025: South Africa 1–0 Ghana, Dobsonville Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
November 15, 2025: South Africa 3–1 Zambia, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha, South Africa
October 14, 2025: South Africa 3–0 Rwanda, Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela, South Africa
October 10, 2025: Zimbabwe 0–0 South Africa, Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, South Africa
September 9, 2025: South Africa 1–1 Nigeria, Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa
September 5, 2025: Lesotho 0–3 South Africa, Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa
June 10, 2025: South Africa 2–0 Mozambique, Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane, South Africa
June 6, 2025: South Africa 0–0 Tanzania, Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane, South Africa
March 25, 2025: Benin 0–2 South Africa, Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
March 21, 2025: South Africa 0–3 Lesotho, Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane, South Africa
Belgian coach Hugo Broos will be leading South Africa for the final time at the 2026 World Cup. The veteran tactician guided the side to a fourth-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations before masterminding their qualification campaign for the global tournament.
Broos, who has previously coached Cameroon and several club teams, brings vast experience to Bafana Bafana’s bench.
Ronwen Williams, the national captain and a key figure for South Africa, continues to be an influential presence. Having worn the armband since 2021, his leadership has been central to the team’s resurgence. During the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, he famously saved four penalties in the quarter-final shootout against Cape Verde, helping South Africa secure their best finish since 2000.
Interestingly, Williams also made history as the first player to be penalised under FIFA’s new eight-second rule, conceding a corner during a Club World Cup game against Ulsan HD.
