With very few players who play outside of South Africa and elements who have begun to stand out in local football, but who will debut with Bafana Bafana in the 2026 World Cup, Belgian coach Hugo Broos announced his list of 26 called up to travel to Mexico for the World Cup.

The World Cup group is led by 36-year-old veteran playmaker Themba Zwane and also took into account defenders Olwethu Makhanya and Bradley Cross, who have not yet made their debut for the national team.

Of the 26 called up, 19 play in South African soccer and 7 in different leagues, both in Europe and the United States, which demonstrates the confidence that exists in local talent and how an award has been handled for the players who qualified for the World Cup after 16 years of absence.

In the World Cup relationship there were few surprises on the part of coach Hugo Broos, who largely remained faithful to the players who achieved the first qualification of “Bafana Bafana” for a World Cup in the last four universal tournaments.

Among the players who play outside South Africa are central defender Makhanya, 22, who plays for the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer, while Cross, 25, who came through the Newcastle United youth academy, is a left back for Kaizer Chiefs, a local team from Soweto.

Neither of them had participated in the qualifying phase, but the desire to have more defensive options motivated their call-up and their inclusion in the final list, which also includes left wing defender Aubrey Modiba.

With this player there were doubts about his inclusion in the World Cup because he missed the second leg of the CAF Champions League final last Sunday at Mamelodi Sundowns due to a hamstring injury.

Burnley striker Lyle Foster will lead the attack, and Broos believes Zwane's experience and ball skills are vital to the team, with 19 of the 26 players playing in the South African league.

There are great expectations because the World Cup seems to be the last bet in the career of the 74-year-old Belgian coach Bross, after he confirmed his retirement from his career at the end of his participation in the World Cup.

“I know the players who have been left out will be very disappointed tonight,” Broos said. "Some very difficult decisions had to be made. I hope I chose the right ones."

Bafana Bafana have participated in three World Cup tournaments in their entire history. The first in 1998 and repeated in 2002, and then they were the hosts in 2010 until the date when they will return to the World Cup stage.

South Africa will open the World Cup on June 11 at 1:00 p.m. in CDMX; Then, on June 18, they will go to Atlanta to face the Czech Republic on June 18 at 10:00 a.m. and on June 24 against South Korea in the city of Monterrey at 7:00 p.m.

The list of summoned

The South Africa national team squad list is made up of the following players:

Porteros: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates).

Defensas: Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, Khulumani Ndamane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union, EE.UU.), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Nkosinathi Sibisi, Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates), Ime Okon Ime Okon (Hannover 96, Germany), Samukele Kabini (Molde) FK, Noruega), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire, EE.UU.).

Mediocampistas: Teboho Mokoena, Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela, Portugal).

Delanteros: Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa, Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates), Lyle Foster (Burnley, England), Iqraam Rayners, Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol, Cyprus).