What might a Bafana Bafana line-up at the 2026 World Cup look like if they qualify for the tournament? Asks Mark Gleeson.
Next month sees the resumption of the World Cup qualifiers with Bafana Bafana well placed to book their spot at the 2026 finals in North America.
South Africa has six more matches to play in Group C in which to make sure of a berth in the extended 48team finals, where there will be nine guaranteed African representatives. Bafana have two more home games against Nigeria and Rwanda and three away at Benin, Lesotho and Zimbabwe.
Should they top the group and qualify, what will the line-up for their first game in the 2026 finals look like? Baring injury, this is SoccerClub’s prediction:
GOALKEEPER: Ronwen Williams
Good goalkeepers improve like red wine over time and now aged 33, Williams is going to be around for some time to come. He has just passed the 50-cap mark and his experience and leadership is also key. In addition to that, Williams was recently nominated for a string of awards which further solidifies his position and dominance.
RIGHT BACK: Khuliso Mudau
Having been ignored by Bafana coach Hugo Broos for so long, Mudau has made sure that he is now the first choice in the right back berth. But he will have to be aware of the growing reputation of Thabang Matuludi from Polokwane City, who garnered extensive interest from numerous teams during the 2023/24 Betway Premiership season.
LEFT BACK: Rushwin Dortley
Dortley forced his way into the Bafana side this season as a centre-back but his lack of physical presence is likely to be exposed over the next 18 months. What he will have by mid-2026, however, is much more confidence and experience and a return to his primary role as a left back. After a long pursuit, Dortley was signed to Kaizer Chiefs in 2024.
CENTRE-BACK: Keanu Cupido
What he lacks in a commanding stature, the Cape Town City centre-back makes up in awareness, positioning and timely tackles. He has been unlucky not to have played for Bafana in a full international, but his time is coming.
CENTRE-BACK: Nkosinathi Sibisi
Over the last two seasons, Sibisi has lost his regular place in both the Pirates and Bafana line-up although coach Broos has kept him in the squad. But he is too good a player not to bounce back and what will count in his favour is his speed and aggression in dealing with opposing defenders.
DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER: Thalente Mbatha
The powerful Orlando Pirates enforcer is in a battle at the moment for Bafana’s No.6 jersey with Bathusi Aubaas and the Portuguese-based Yaya Sithole. Mbatha makes less errors than the other two, is more dynamic in his movement and has an eye for goal as we saw last year in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
MIDFIELDER: Teboho Mokoena
A mainstay of the team already, the Sundowns superstar is expected to continue his prominent role. Stealing possession, finding space on the flanks, providing crosses and linking play is his day-job. It is backed up by his ability from set pieces and his powerful shot.
FLOATING ATTACKER: Patrick Maswanganyi
It is incredulous to think that ‘Tito’ could not find a club in the Premier Soccer League after he came back from Portugal. Now he is the successor to Themba Zwane and will play in a creative role for the side in the future.
LEFT WING: Relebohile Mofokeng
The Orlando Pirates wonder kid will be only 21 when the World Cup comes around and with the world at his feet. His natural talent is among the best we have seen in the South African game in a long while and with good guidance he will show the requisite maturity as well.
RIGHT SIDED ATTACKER: Mohau Nkota
The Orlando Pirates prodigy whose arrival on the scene this season has been spectacular and seen him quickly forge a place in the squad. He possesses an accurate shot, which is a rarity in the domestic game, and it cannot be long now before he earns his first Bafana cap.
CENTRE FORWARD: ?
This is the problem position for Bafana and with no solution in sight. Iqraam Rayners will probably lead the attack next month when the World Cup qualifiers resume with Evidence Makgopa as his back-up. But both do not have the overall quality needed to lead the attack at World Cup. Khanyisa Mayo might improve with his experience of playing outside the country but Mayo struggles with consistency, while Lyle Foster is too often injured or unavailable.
THE BOMB SQUAD:
Options off the bench will be in abundance with Sipho Chaine the best back-up in goalkeeping, Thabiso Sesane in the centre-back role and the pacey Terrence Mashego on the left side of defence. Thapelo Morena can operate on the right as both a fullback or winger. Oswin Appollis has been a strong performer on the left wing. Elias Mokwana’s move to Esperance in Tunisia has seen a quick improvement in his overall game and is potentially the first impact player off the bench. Devin Titus is an alternate in a wide attacking role with plenty of pace at his disposal.
