He made the announcement in the presence of President Cyril Ramaphosa as South Africa head to their first World Cup in 16 years and their fourth overall.
Bafana face co-hosts Mexico in the tournament opener on June 11, before Group A clashes with Czech Republic in Atlanta (June 18) and South Korea in Monterrey (June 24).
Here is a quick look at the 26 players who will fly the flag on the global stage.
Goalkeepers
Born: 14 December, 1996
Club: Orlando Pirates
Caps: 3
Goals conceded: 4
National team debut: v South Sudan, Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, 10 September, 2024
Quick fact: Left out of the squad for the March friendlies against Panama for unexplained reasons, he has worked his way back in after keeping a Betway Premiership record of 21 clean sheets as Orlando Pirates won the title this season. Most likely second choice in the Bafana squad.
Born: 2 April, 1994
Club: Siwelele
Caps: 4
Goals conceded: 1
National team debut: v Namibia, friendly international, 8 October, 2020
Quick fact: The number three brought along for his experience and the standards he sets in training. A good ‘squad man’. A very capable keeper if needed, though.
Born: 21 January, 1992
Club: Mamelodi Sundowns
Caps: 63
Goals conceded: 59
National team debut: v Brazil, friendly international, 5 March, 2014
Quick fact: The captain and undisputed number one, he is a leader for coach Broos and a crucial part of the puzzle for Bafana. His form has not been the best in 2026, but on his day he is a match-winner in goal.
Defenders
Born: 30 January, 2001
Club: Kaizer Chiefs
Caps: 0
Quick fact: Uncapped by Bafana so far, he was in the squad for the World Cup qualifiers at the end of 2023 but did not play. Forced his way in due to injury to Aubrey Modiba.
Born: 15 March, 2004
Caps: 5
National team debut: v Mozambique, friendly international, 10 June, 2025
Quick fact: A recent recruit to the team in the last year, he is well respected at Norwegian side Molde but is perhaps a little green at international level. He will have learned much from the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Born: 30 April, 2004
Club: Philadelphia Union (USA)
Caps: 0
Quick fact: Many think he should have got a call-up long ago but finally gets his chance. He is uncapped but has played for several seasons in Major League Soccer with Philadelphia Union after moving from Stellenbosch.
Born: 14 January, 1999
Club: Polokwane City
Caps: 5
National team debut: v Mozambique, friendly international, 10 June, 2025
Quick fact: Has been the backup right-back for the last year or so but not really trusted as a starter. He is there in case of injury to Khuliso Mudau.
Born: 19 September, 2005
Club: Chicago Fire (USA)
Caps: 10
Goals: 1
National team debut: v Mozambique, friendly international, 10 June, 2025
Quick fact: A rock at the back who has had a meteoric rise; it was only last March that he was making his professional debut for Orlando Pirates. He has since moved to MLS side Chicago Fire and is a regular with Bafana. A powerful defender who is a top talent.
Born: 22 July, 1995
Club: Mamelodi Sundowns
Caps: 47
Goals: 3
National team debut: v Lesotho, COSAFA Cup, 18 June, 2016
Quick fact: Was under an injury cloud after missing the second leg of the CAF Champions League final for victorious Mamelodi Sundowns, but is the first-choice left-back and a good set-piece merchant. Better going forward than he is at defending.
Born: 26 April, 1995
Club: Mamelodi Sundowns
Caps: 33
Goals: 1
National team debut: v Guinea, friendly international, 25 March, 2022
Quick fact: Arguably the best right-back playing on the African continent, or certainly up there. A superb defender and very good going forward, he is prone to the odd error but is a strong weapon for the team in both boxes.
Born: 5 February, 2004
Club: Mamelodi Sundowns
Caps: 5
National team debut: v Tanzania, friendly international, 6 June, 2025
Quick fact: Probably vying for a place with Mbokazi as one of the two left-sided centre-backs in the squad, so might play second fiddle, but had a good season with Mamelodi Sundowns and was key in their CAF Champions League win.
Born: 20 February, 2004
Club: Hannover 96 (Germany)
Caps: 7
Goals: 1
National team debut: v Mozambique, COSAFA Cup, 4 June, 2025
Quick fact: Off the radar until the March friendlies when he played both games against Panama and put in two good performances. Tall and strong, he is the replacement for Siyabonga Ngezana, who has not had enough minutes of late due to injury.
Born: 22 September, 1995
Club: Orlando Pirates
Caps: 20
National team debut: v Uganda, friendly international, 10 June, 2021
Quick fact: A player with plenty of experience who will be pushing for a start, but like Mbokazi is not the tallest at centre-back. It is hard to play those two together, so it might have to be a choice between them.
Midfielders
Born: 5 May, 2001
Club: Mamelodi Sundowns
Caps: 9
Goals: 2
National team debut: v Mozambique, COSAFA Cup, 17 July, 2022
Quick fact: Adams was a teenage prodigy and then lost his way for a while, but recent excellent form has seen him restored to the Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana sides. He is industrious and gets through plenty of hard work with a tenacious tackle.
Born: 6 March, 2000
Club: Orlando Pirates
Caps: 15
Goals: 3
National team debut: v Uganda, Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, 6 September, 2024
Quick fact: Probably not a starter but a good squad player and someone to bring off the bench. Has a habit of scoring late, important goals and possesses a rocket shot that makes him dangerous from 35 yards.
Born: 24 January, 1997
Club: Mamelodi Sundowns
Caps: 56
Goals: 9
National team debut: v Botswana, COSAFA Cup, 15 July, 2017
Quick fact: The box-to-box midfielder who makes Bafana tick, he is crucial to the cause at both ends of the pitch and a talisman for the side. He is experienced and also has an eye for goal, usually spectacular ones.
Born: 3 March, 1999
Caps: 27
Goals: 1
National team debut: v Morocco, Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, 9 June, 2022
Quick fact: A big, physical presence; some aspects of his game let him down and he can be sloppy, but he has a high work-rate and gives Bafana some steel in the centre of the park.
FORWARDS
Born: 25 August, 2001
Club: Orlando Pirates
Caps: 25
Goals: 8
National team debut: v Rwanda, World Cup qualifier, 21 November, 2023
Quick fact: His game has come on hugely in the last two years and he is now one of the most potent attacking weapons in the country, both as a creator and scorer of goals. It was not so long ago he could not find a club, but came through as a teenager and perhaps it was all too soon for him.
Born: 4 September, 2000
Club: Burnley (England)
Caps: 30
Goals: 10
National team debut: v Madagascar, COSAFA Cup, 3 June, 2018
Quick fact: Likely to be the starting ‘nine’ in the side, he has not played much for Burnley since the exit of manager Scott Parker. On his day, he is a very effective forward, not just in front of goal but as a link-man to the attacking midfielders.
Born: 5 June, 2000
Club: Orlando Pirates
Caps: 26
Goals: 5
National team debut: v Uganda, friendly international, 10 June, 2021
Quick fact: A similar style of player to Foster, his best work is done in the air, though he does have surprisingly good feet for a big man. Usually comes off the bench to replace Foster.
Born: 19 December, 1995
Club: Mamelodi Sundowns
Caps: 18
Goals: 5
National team debut: v Namibia, COSAFA Cup, 5 July, 2023
Quick fact: There have been calls from many quarters for him to return to the side after being frozen out for the last nine months. Offers a different kind of striker role to Foster and Makgopa, with the ability to run onto balls behind the defence.
Born: 11 November, 2003
Club: AEL Limassol (Cyprus)
Caps: 8
Goals: 1
National team debut: v Mozambique, COSAFA Cup, 13 July, 2022
Quick fact: He returned for the games against Panama and put in a good showing after a fine loan spell with AEL Limassol in Cyprus, having been completely frozen out at Mamelodi Sundowns. A winger with an eye for goal.
Born: 23 October, 2004
Club: Orlando Pirates
Caps: 13
Goals: 1
National team debut: v Zimbabwe, World Cup qualifier, 11 June, 2024
Quick fact: Has the potential to be the golden boy for the side. He has all the tricks and skill, which he maybe needs to temper sometimes. But he is a player who can create something from nothing and unlock the tightest defences. Was superb in the second half of the season for Orlando Pirates after being sidelined in the first.
Born: 2 October, 2000
Club: Orlando Pirates
Caps: 10
Goals: 1
National team debut: v Mozambique, COSAFA Cup, 26 June, 2024
Quick fact: A relative latecomer to the squad, he was called up after his move to Orlando Pirates at the start of last season and his form for his new club warranted it. Predominantly a left winger but can play on the right too.
Born: 21 July, 2002
Club: Orlando Pirates
Caps: 7
Goals: 1
National team debut: v Mozambique, COSAFA Cup, 4 June, 2025
Quick fact: Raw pace is his game. He is another who can play as a winger or, as he has this season for Orlando Pirates, a wing-back.
Born: 3 August, 1989
Club: Mamelodi Sundowns
Caps: 53
Goals: 12
National team debut: v Australia, friendly international, 26 May, 2014
Quick fact: On his day, a dazzlingly skilful player, not in an ostentatious way but hugely intelligent on the ball, who keeps the side on the front foot in attack. Now almost 37, he has been troubled by injuries in the recent past but is also a huge influence for the team off the pitch.