Bafana Bafana Coach Hugo Broos: 70-75% of 2026 World Cup Squad Already Selected

Hugo Broos' World Cup squad, 70-75% confirmed

Coach Hugo Broos reveals 70-75% of 2026 World Cup squad already selected, eyes on Cape Town friendly. Bafana Bafana dominate but fail to beat Panama, settling for 1-1 draw in Durban.

“But for 70-75% of the selection is already in my head and will not change...”

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos says he's already sure of 70-75% of the squad that will go to the 2026 World Cup, but is keeping the door open for latecomers. With the global finals just a few months away, Broos is still deciding on several positions.

Broos will get another look at his team when South Africa hosts Panama for a second friendly on Tuesday at the sold-out Cape Town Stadium. The match is an opportunity for players to stake their claim for a spot in the World Cup squad.

“Everything depends a little bit on aæ shape of the players,” he said. “Maybe in the next weeks, they will not play anymore in their teams, or pick up injuries, or that kind of thing. 

“But for 70-75% of the selection is already in my head and will not change. Not even if tomorrow we play a bad game. But there are still some positions that I want to decide on in the next weeks before I make my choice.”

Bafana Bafana struggled to convert their chances, settling for a 1-1 draw against Panama in their first friendly match in Durban on Friday night. Despite dominating the game, they couldn't capitalize on numerous scoring opportunities.

“We did a very good game on Friday. We want to confirm that tomorrow again against a very good opponent, so I think we did the right choice to play against Panama two times,” Broos said.

“It was a good test already Friday, and again, tomorrow, I expect a tough opponent, a good opponent also. So, it's all right for the preparation, because that is the main goal of those two games (against Panama) … preparation of the first game in the World Cup, in Mexico, against Mexico, now in two months’ time.”

Broos confirmed all 23 players are fit for Tuesday's match and plans to shake things up, making some changes to the lineup that drew with Panama on Friday.

“As I said already in the past, our Afcon in December was not that good for various reasons. So I wanted to install a little bit more mentality and discipline in the team. And I think we succeeded on Friday. I was happy with the performance.”

Tickets to the second international friendly match between Bafana Bafana and Panama are now sold out!!! Fans have quickly snapped up 🎟 to the game that will played at Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday night.#BafanaPride@10bet_ZA @SABC_Sport @adidasZA @adidasfootball pic.twitter.com/B0VvsR5lDQ

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) March 29, 2026

He added, “I was also happy with the mentality. I was happy with discipline. I was happy with everything, except a few things in the game. We had a debriefing this (Monday) morning, and players know there were a few details that we have to try to do better. 

“On the other hand, I was also very happy with the crowd on Friday because that was for me also a little question mark because the reaction of the fans after Afcon was not so positive … and it was normal that they were not positive.

“But, yeah, the South African people were again there in the stadium and it will be a full house tomorrow (Tuesday).”

1 more day before the showdown at DHL Stadium in Cape Town. The boys are focused and ready for the war. It's now or never bafethu 🔥⚽️🇿🇦

South Africa 🇿🇦 vs 🇵🇦 Panama (Match 2)
🏟 DHL Stadium, Cape Town
📅 31 March 2026
🕑 19:30, Gates open 16:30@adidasfootball @adidasza… pic.twitter.com/B66oEENpt0

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) March 30, 2026