South African star Maswanganyi opens up on 2026 World Cup snub heartbreak

South African forward Patrick Maswanganyi has admitted that missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup remains a painful experience, revealing his disappointment after failing to secure a place in Hugo Broos’ final Bafana Bafana squad.

The 28-year-old, who now plays for Bahrain’s Al Khaldiya, was included in the preliminary squad for the global showpiece but was ultimately overlooked when Broos named his final selection.

His omission came despite his efforts to convince the national team technical staff during the opportunities he received, leaving the former Orlando Pirates attacker disappointed as South Africa went on to reach the knockout stage of the tournament.

Speaking during an online press conference organised by the South African Football Journalists Association, Maswanganyi insisted he had done everything within his power to earn a place in the squad and make the most of the opportunities presented to him.

“You know, it happened and I had done everything I could with the opportunities I got from the coach,” he admitted.

The attacker also responded to comments from his former coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou, who previously suggested that he could have secured a place in the World Cup squad had he followed his instructions.

Maswanganyi appeared unconvinced by the criticism, insisting that his performances whenever he was given an opportunity demonstrated his commitment and willingness to contribute to the national team.

“And I wouldn’t know what he [Ouaddou]’s talking about because if you have watched any opportunity I got at that time, I always made sure I do something,” he said.

“You know I help the team and I play my heart out. So, for me, I had done everything I could,” he added.

Despite standing by his performances, Maswanganyi acknowledged that missing football’s biggest tournament was difficult to accept, particularly after coming so close to earning a place in the final squad.

“Missing out on the World Cup is something that hurt me, but you know, sometimes you need to live for those kinds of things that they happen in football,” he said.

The disappointment marked a frustrating moment in the midfielder’s international career, although he appears determined to move forward and focus on the opportunities ahead.

Maswanganyi completed a move to Bahraini side Al Khaldiya in August 2026 after ending his spell with Orlando Pirates, where he established himself as an influential attacking player.

During his time with the Soweto giants, he made 120 appearances across competitions, scoring 28 goals and providing 21 assists.

His departure from South Africa has opened a new chapter in his career, but the World Cup disappointment remains a significant moment for the attacker, who will be hoping his performances in Bahrain can strengthen his chances of returning to the Bafana Bafana setup.