Hugo Broos Delays Bafana Squad Announcement Until After PSL, CAF Final
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The delay allows Broos to wait until after the PSL ends May 23 and the CAF Champions League final May 24, with many players expected from Sundowns and Pirates.
South Africa open the World Cup against co-hosts Mexico on June 11, then face the Czech Republic and South Korea in Group A...
Bafana Bafana fans now know when to expect Hugo Broos’ final 2026 World Cup squad list. The South African Football Association confirmed the coach will announce it on May 27.
The Belgian is naming his squad later than most other managers at the tournament. A number of countries have already locked in their final selections.
The delay likely comes down to timing. South Africa’s domestic league wraps up on May 23, and the second leg of the CAF Champions League final is on May 24. Broos’ squad will probably include plenty of players from Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, who face Morocco’s AS FAR in the continental final.
Waiting also gives him flexibility if injuries pop up. Losing key players could force a reshuffle of both his lineup and his game plan, so holding off until the last minute could work in his favor.
2026 FIFA World Cup hosts, the United States of America, Canada and Mexico, wished Bafana Bafana and the South African Football Association well as they prepare to depart to the global tournament this month. The event was held at the nation's capital in Pretoria. #BafanaPride pic.twitter.com/HTkyBiGrne
— SAFA.net (@SAFA_net) May 11, 2026
Keeping his squad under wraps also gives Bafana an edge, though Mexico, the Czech Republic, and South Korea won’t take long to figure out who the key players are once it’s out.
Broos hasn’t decided yet if he’ll take 23 or 26 players. He’s wary of bringing fringe players who could disrupt squad harmony.
FIFA’s daily payments to clubs for released players add another angle. It’s a way to funnel money into the local league, and you can bet some teams are pushing for their players to make the cut. A club could earn over R6.5 million even if their player never leaves the bench.
Bafana will play Nicaragua in a friendly in Johannesburg on May 29 before heading to their training base in Pachuca, Mexico. Broos wants the squad in camp there by June 1 at the latest.
South Africa have a marquee opener against co-hosts Mexico on June 11 in Mexico City.
Destination: FIFA 2026 World Cup! 🔒🏆 Rock your green & gold 💚💛 and let’s get behind the squad!! Happy #BafanaFriday!
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) May 8, 2026
Let's make some noise! 🇿🇦⚽ #BafanaPride pic.twitter.com/wQAlR4YA4z
They’ll then face the Czech Republic in Atlanta on June 18, and finish the group stage against South Korea in Monterrey on June 24.
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