South Africa name two uncapped players in 2026 FIFA World Cup squad

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos selected his tried and trusted squad for the 2026 World Cup on Wednesday, but did include two new caps in the 26-player group for the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada. 

Defenders Olwethu Makhanya and Bradley Cross were both not involved in qualifying and will make their national team debuts if selected in either Friday’s warm-up fixture against Nicaragua or at the World Cup.

Makhanya is an additional centre-back option while Cross covers left-back, perhaps due to the injury that saw Aubrey Modiba miss the second leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final for Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday.

Modiba was named in the squad, along with a third left-back option in Samukele Kabini, who is based in Norway with Molde.

Burnley striker Lyle Foster will lead the line with 19 of the 26 players based in the South African league, while there is also a place for Themba Zwane (pictured), whose calmness and experience is seen as vital.

The World Cup is a swansong to coaching for their Belgian tactician Broos, 74, who has already said he will call time on his career after the finals.

The former defender quit international football as a player after the 1986 finals that were also hosted in Mexico, where he helped Belgium to fourth place.

South Africa have appeared in three previous World Cup finals having debuted in 1998. They qualified again in 2002 and hosting the tournament in 2010. They exited in the group stages on each occasion.

Squad:
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)

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

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

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