South Africa at the 2026 World Cup: roster, squad, players, group and schedule
Take a look at South Africa’s full World Cup squad, including every player selected by Hugo Broos, the team’s schedule and its group-stage opponents.
South Africa return to the World Cup for the first time since 2010, completing a remarkable turnaround under head coach Hugo Broos. When the Belgian took charge in 2021, Bafana Bafana had not qualified for a World Cup in more than a decade and were struggling to compete consistently on the continental stage. Five years later, they have reached three consecutive major tournaments, including the 2023 and 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and now the 2026 World Cup.
Why did South Africa nearly not qualify for the World Cup?
Qualification was anything but straightforward. South Africa appeared to be cruising through their group before an administrative error saw them docked three points for fielding the suspended Teboho Mokoena in a victory over Lesotho. The setback left their World Cup hopes hanging in the balance, but Broos’ side held their nerve and ultimately finished one point ahead of Nigeria to secure a place in North America.
Their reward is a difficult group featuring co-hosts Mexico, South Korea and Czechia. Reaching the knockout rounds for the first time in the nation’s history will be a major challenge, but Broos has restored belief around the national team. Built around a disciplined, hard-working core and dangerous on the counterattack through players such as Relebohile Mofokeng and Oswin Appollis, South Africa arrive determined to prove they belong on the world’s biggest stage.
South Africa's full squad for the 2026 World Cup
Goalkeepers
- Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
- Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates FC)
- Ricardo Goss (Siwelele FC)
Defenders
- Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City FC)
- Khulumani Ndamane (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
- Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
- Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire FC)
- Samukelo Kabini (Molde FK)
- Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates FC)
- Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
- Ime Okon (Hannover 96)
- Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union)
- Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs FC)
Midfielders
- Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
- Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates FC)
- Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
- Sphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela)
- Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Forwards
- Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates FC)
- Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates FC)
- Lyle Foster (Burnley FC)
- Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates FC)
- Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol)
- Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
- Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates FC)
- Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates FC)
Head coach
- Hugo Broos
South Africa’s World Cup group and schedule
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czechia
Thursday, June 11
3:00 p.m. ET: Mexico vs. South Africa
Thursday, June 18
12:00 noon ET: Czechia vs. South Africa
Wednesday, June 24
9:00 p.m. ET: South Africa vs. South Korea
Check out the World Cup rosters for all the other 47 teams at World Cup 2026
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