The South Africa World Cup 2026 squad is shaping up ahead of their big return.
They topped their World Cup 2026 qualification group after beating Rwanda in their final game of qualifying in October 2025 and with one of the lesser-fancied squads at the tournament, Bafana Bafana may feel there's no pressure on them right now.
Thousands of their fans are sure to descend on America, much like the fans of the Mamelodi Sundowns in the 2025 Club World Cup. Their team won't be among the favourites.
Their last game at a World Cup saw them beat powerhouse France but they were knocked out at the group stage, becoming the first hosts ever to befall this fate.
However, they did provide one of the greatest moments in World Cup history as Siphiwe Tshabalala rifled home the opening goal of the tournament and sent the 84,000 fans at Soccer City absolutely wild.
They were the first African nation to host a World Cup and there was hope that they would significantly kick on from this, but they have not qualified for a World Cup since.
The 2023 African Cup of Nations saw them match their best ever finish in a major tournament, finishing fourth, just as they had in 2007. They used this momentum to propel themselves to a spot at the World Cup in 2026.
Squad
South Africa World Cup 2026 squad: The March selection
- GK: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- GK: Renaldo Leaner (Sekhukhune United)
- GK: Ricardo Goss (Siwelele)
- GK: Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)
- GK: Darren Johnson (AmaZulu)
- DF: Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City)
- DF: Khulumani Ndamane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- DF: Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- DF: Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire)
- DF: Samukele Kabini (Molde)
- DF: Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates)
- DF: Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- DF: Ime Okon (Hannover 96)
- DF: Deano van Rooyen (Orlando Pirates)
- DF: Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers)
- DF: Vuyo Letlapa (Sekhukhune United)
- DF: Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia Union)
- MF: Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- MF: Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates)
- MF: Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- MF: Yaya Sithole (Tondela)
- MF: Jayden Adams (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- MF: Luke Le Roux (Portsmouth)
- MF: Ndamulelo Maphangule (Polokwane City)
- MF: Mthetheleli Mthiyane (Stellenbosch)
- FW: Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates)
- FW: Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates)
- FW: Lyle Foster (Burnley)
- FW: Relebohile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates)
- FW: Thapelo Maseko (AEL Limassol)
- FW: Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota United)
- FW: Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates)
- FW: Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- FW: Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns)
- FW: Mohau Nkota (Al-Ettifaq)
- FW: Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates)
- FW: Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates)
- FW: Yanela Mbuthuma (Orlando Pirates)
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 04, 2026: South Africa 1-2 Cameroon, Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco
- January 01, 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
Manager
Who is South Africa's manager?
Belgian Hugo Broos is undertaking his last ever role as a manager with South Africa at the 2026 World Cup.
He led them to fourth place in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and then spearheaded their qualification efforts for the World Cup.
Previously he has managed Cameroon as well as 11 club sides.
Star player
Who is South Africa's star player?
Ronwen Williams is the captain of South Africa and arguably their most important player.
Since 2021 he has had the armband and has been vital in their resurgence of late. In 2023 he saved four penalties against Cape Verde in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final to help South Africa to their best finish since 2000.
Curiously he was the first player ever to be penalised under FIFA’s new eight-second rule, conceding a corner in a Club World Cup match against Ulsan HD.
