Bafana Bafana must submit a preliminary squad to the world footballing body FIFA for the 2026 World Cup finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
That squad, from anywhere between 35 and 55 players, will be narrowed down by Bafana head coach Hugo Broos and his technical staff to a final squad of 23 to 26 players by FIFA’s deadline of June 1.
Also see: DSTV prices to go lower during the World Cup
The South African Football Association (SAFA) is yet to announce when Broos will publish his final squad, but FIFA will publish all the World Cup squads on their official website on June 2.
All final squads must include at least three goalkeepers, and while Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams is the clear South African number one, there is a bit of a scrap for the other two positions.
Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine broke the record for clean sheets in a single Betway Premiership season over the past weekend. Chaine was, however, left out of the recent Bafana squad for friendlies against Panama. There is also another emerging goalkeeper, Brandon Petersen, of Amakhosi.
Also see: Why Bafana chose Pachuca as their World Cup home
Hugo Broos admitted that the Kaizer Chiefs keeper would have been called up for the Panama games had he not been injured.
Petersen has been in superb form for Kaizer Chiefs this season, and reports have suggested he will be in the final squad if he is not injured between now and the end of the campaign.
It will be a fascinating call from the Bafana head coach, with fans of Chaine likely to be upset if he does not make the cut after an incredible season.
Also see: Global Stage: Tyla booked for dual performances at FIFA World Cup 2026 openings
Feature Image: Gettys
Be the first to know – Join our WhatsApp channel for content worth tapping into. Click here to join!
