Dates Revealed When Broos Will Submit Final Squad For World Cup
Sportswire has learned that Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos will submit his final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Saturday, 30 May.
As has been the norm, Broos will first announce a preliminary squad before the end of the 2025/26 season, before trimming it down to the required 26–28 players who will represent Bafana Bafana.
The final squad will be confirmed just 11 days before the tournament kicks off in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
South Africa will open FIFA’s showpiece event against co-host Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
The match will be a repeat of the opening fixture of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which ended in a 1–1 draw at FNB Stadium.
Adding another layer of history, Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre returns to the World Cup, having also led El Tri in the 2010 tournament opener against Bafana Bafana.
Bafana Bafana, making their first World Cup qualification since 2002, will play their second Group A match on 18 June against the winner of the European playoff, to be contested by Denmark, North Macedonia, Czechia or the Republic of Ireland next March.
Broos’ side will then conclude their group-stage campaign against South Korea on 25 June.
With the expanded format increasing the knockout stage to 32 teams, securing a positive result in this final group match could be crucial to South Africa’s hopes of making history.
In the meantime, Bafana Bafana will assemble for camp on Sunday and Monday following this weekend’s fixtures, ahead of two FIFA-sanctioned international friendlies against Panama at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on 27 March and DHL Stadium on 31 March.
These matches will serve as South Africa’s final preparations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, offering omitted players one last opportunity to force their way back into contention.
