Hugo Broos nears final call on South Africa’s 2026 World Cup squad

Head coach Hugo Broos has revealed that the bulk of his South Africa national football team squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is already decided, with only a handful of positions still under review.

The veteran Belgian manager struck a measured tone, acknowledging that player fitness and club form could still influence his final selections, even as he expressed firm confidence in the core of his team.

“Everything depends a little bit on the shape of the players. Maybe in the next weeks, they will not play anymore in their teams, or pick up injuries, or that kind of thing. But for 70, 75 per cent of the selection is already in my head and will not change,” he said as reported by Mzansi Football.

“Not even if tomorrow we play a bad game. But there are still some positions that I want to decide on in the next weeks before I make my choice,” he added.

Broos’ comments offer a glimpse into a selection process that is largely settled, reflecting continuity in a squad that has grown in cohesion over recent months.

His reluctance to overhaul the core, even in the face of a poor performance, suggests a long-term vision built on trust and tactical consistency.

However, the remaining places in the squad are set to be fiercely contested, with players aware that their performances at club level in the coming weeks could prove decisive.

As South Africa continues its qualification push, Broos appears determined to strike a balance between stability and flexibility—locking in the spine of his team while keeping competition alive for the final slots.