4 Kaizer Chiefs Stars Included As Hugo Broos Announces Bafana Bafana Preliminary Squad for World Cup

• South Africa men's national team manager Hugo Broos has released his provisional squad list for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
• The Belgian tactician included four Kaizer Chiefs players on the list, with Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates also well represented
• The final Bafana Bafana squad for the global football competition would be released in a few days, with six players set to be cut out

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has announced his preliminary squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held at the end of the season in North America.

The South African men's national team have been drawn in Group A, where they will open their campaign against one of the host countries, Mexico, at the iconic Estadio Azteca on 11 June, before facing the Czech Republic and South Korea. The final 26-man squad must be confirmed to FIFA by 1 June.

Bafana Bafana made it into the competition for the first time since hosting it in 2010, the last time they played in the competition while securing a place through qualifiers was in the 2002 edition hosted by Korea and Japan. They overcame every challenge during the qualifiers and booked the ticket ahead of the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Read also

New Kaizer Chiefs decision emerges on Kaze and Ben Youssef futures

Broos announces Bafana's preliminary squad

Broos released a 32-man Bafana Bafana provisional list for the World Cup, and for the first time in a long while, Kaizer Chiefs are well represented in the squad.

The Belgian mentor released the list on Thursday, May 21, 2026, with the final squad schedule to be released in a few days. The Glamour Boys have the likes of Brandon Petersen, Bradley Cross, Thabiso Monyane, and Lebohang Maboe on the list.

There have been calls for Petersen to make the final squad for the competition after his impressive performance in goal for the Soweto Giants this season.

South Africa's Preliminary Squad for World Cup

As usual, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates players dominate the list, producing nine players each, and they are both expected to have more players in the final squad.

Durban City midfielder Brooklyn Poggenpoel is one of the surprise inclusions on the list, followed by Kaizer Chiefs' Maboe.

Read also

Kaizer Chiefs set to keep two coaches with new contract extensions

GOALKEEPERS

Ronwen WILLIAMS – Mamelodi Sundowns FC

Ricardo GOSS – Siwelele FC

Sipho CHAINE – Orlando Pirates FC

Brandon PETERSON – Kaizer Chiefs FC

DEFENDERS

Ime OKON – Hannover 96 (Germany)

Samukele KABINI – Molde FK (Norway)

Mbekezeli MBOKAZI – Chicago Fire FC (USA)

Khuliso MUDAU – Mamelodi Sundowns FC

Olwethu MAKHANYA – Philadelphia Union (USA)

Bradley CROSS – Kaizer Chiefs FC

Thabiso MONYANE – Kaizer Chiefs FC

Thabang MATULUDI – Polokwane City FC

Nkosinathi SIBISI – Orlando Pirates FC

Aubrey MODIBA – Mamelodi Sundowns FC

Kholumani NDAMANE – Mamelodi Sundowns FC

MIDFIELDERS

Teboho MOKOENA – Mamelodi Sundowns FC

Jayden ADAMS – Mamelodi Sundowns FC

Brooklyn POGGENPOEL – Durban City FC

Lebohang MABOE – Kaizer Chiefs FC

Thalente MBATHA – Orlando Pirates FC

Sphephelo SITHOLE – CD Tondela (Portugal)

FORWARDS

Oswin APPOLLIS – Orlando Pirates FC

Tshepang MOREMI – Orlando Pirates FC

Evidence MAKGOPA – Orlando Pirates FC

Read also

World Cup heartbreak for Kaizer Chiefs star after squad omission

Lyle FOSTER – Burnley FC (England)

Iqraam RAYNERS – Mamelodi Sundowns FC

Relebohile MOFOKENG – Orlando Pirates FC

Themba ZWANE – Mamelodi Sundowns FC

Patrick MASWANGANYI – Orlando Pirates FC

Kamogelo SEBEBELE – Orlando Pirates FC

Thapelo MORENA – Mamelodi Sundowns FC

Thapelo MASEKO – AEL Limassol (Cyprus)

More uncertainty over Broos’ future at Bafana

Briefly News recently reported that Hugo Broos may still have to formally reapply if he wants to continue as Bafana Bafana coach beyond the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) confirmed that a recruitment process for a new coach is expected to begin soon, although the door has not been closed on Broos remaining in charge.

SAFA technical committee chairperson Jack Maluleke reportedly said the Belgian mentor would have to “make the presentation” if he wants to continue.

Source: Briefly News