Hugo Broos confident as South Africa face Nicaragua in World Cup send-off friendly

South Africa will take on Nicaragua in a preparatory international friendly ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the match scheduled for Friday at the Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto.

The encounter is expected to serve as a crucial final test for Bafana Bafana as head coach Hugo Broos edges closer to finalising his 26-man squad for the tournament.

Broos admitted the selection process has been demanding, acknowledging the emotional toll on players who missed out.

“There were some hard decisions to make. When you select a squad and make a list of players, you will always disappoint some players, and I know the disappointment for those who had to drop out tonight will be very, very hard,” he said.

“It’s a World Cup. We want to go to the World Cup, so these are decisions that have to be made. I was a player myself, so I know how they will feel after I announced the 26 players. That is also part of the job.

“My assistant, Helman Mkhalele, and I spent the past few weeks sitting in the office discussing combinations — if we take this player, then another one has to drop out. There were some very difficult decisions, but that is part of my job, and I hope I chose the right players.”

Broos is expected to field a near full-strength lineup as he continues to assess his options before naming his final squad.

In team news, Thapelo Morena has been ruled out due to injury. However, his Mamelodi Sundowns teammate Aubrey Modiba has been cleared to feature after passing a late fitness test.

South Africa has been housed in Group A alongside Mexico, South Korea and Czech Republic.