World Cup 2026: Sundowns star Aubrey Modiba risks missing out on South Africa’s final squad

Mamelodi Sundowns star Aubrey Modiba could miss out on the South Africa’s 2026 World Cup squad, set to be released on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.

The experienced left-back was absent on Sunday night as Sundowns battled in the CAF Champions League final return clash in Morocco, with his omission immediately raising fears over his availability for South Africa ahead of the global tournament.

South Africa head coach Hugo Broos is expected to announce his final Bafana Bafana squad for the World Cup Wednesday, but uncertainty surrounding Modiba’s fitness now threatens to become one of the biggest selection headaches for the Belgian tactician.

Speaking after the final, Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso hinted that Modiba’s condition remains a serious concern, grouping him among players who have struggled physically following a demanding period for the club.

“Today, there are three players who are potential Bafana Bafana players who could not play: Thapelo Morena, Aubrey Modiba, Bathusi Aubaas,” Cardoso said.

“They are not here because in the last month, they were exposed to something that was not normal. And they also could not play a final.”

Those comments have intensified speculation that Modiba may not recover in time for the World Cup, a scenario that could significantly disrupt Broos’ tactical plans.

The left-back sustained the injury during the first-leg clash against ASFAR at Loftus Versfeld, a match in which he had delivered a standout performance and even scored a superb free-kick before limping off injured.

Since then, concerns over his condition have continued to grow, especially given his importance to both Sundowns and the national team.

Modiba has become one of the most dependable players in the Bafana Bafana setup under Broos, valued for his versatility, defensive discipline and attacking contributions from the left flank. His experience at the highest level and understanding of Broos’ system have made him a crucial figure in the squad.

Perhaps even more worrying for South Africa is the lack of a natural replacement. In Broos’ preliminary squad announced last week, Modiba was reportedly the only recognised left-back included, highlighting just how central he is to the coach’s plans.

Should he fail to recover in time, Broos may be forced into a tactical reshuffle or consider deploying players out of position — something that could weaken the balance of the team heading into one of football’s biggest tournaments.

The timing of the injury could hardly be worse. South Africa are preparing for a demanding World Cup campaign and losing an experienced player like Modiba would represent a significant setback both defensively and in transition play.

Beyond his defensive responsibilities, the Sundowns star also offers valuable attacking width, quality delivery from set-pieces and composure in possession — qualities that are difficult to replace.

His potential absence would also be another blow for a Bafana squad already carrying huge expectations after recent progress under Broos. The Belgian coach has worked hard to rebuild the national side into a competitive unit capable of challenging stronger opponents on the international stage.

Now, all eyes will be on the official squad announcement and whether Modiba’s name will be included despite the injury concerns.

For South African supporters, the hope remains that the injury is not as serious as feared and that one of the country’s most reliable performers will still be fit enough to represent Bafana Bafana on football’s biggest stage.