Group A
South Africa
- Manager
- Hugo Broos
- Squad
- 26 players
- Announced
- May 27
Tournament projection
- Advance
- 37.4%
- Round of 16
- 8.0%
- Quarter-final
- 0.9%
- Semi-final
- 0.1%
- Final
- 0.0%
- Champion
- 0.0%
Market champion price 0.1% · model edge -0.0%.
Scouting report
updated 2026-06-04A direct, wide 4-3-3 with creative crossing but a habit of missing big chances. Bafana Bafana bring exciting match-ups to Group A.
Style · 4-3-3 — can be very direct (2nd most long passes), wingers in 1v1s with fullbacks beyond, creative crossing (2nd best crossers).
Counter-reliance ·mediumDirect, can go long quickly into wide 1v1s
Strengths
- +Direct outlet — among the most long passes of the field
- +Creative wide play and crossing volume
- +Great rest-defence and protecting structure
Weaknesses
- −Wasteful — most big chances missed in qualifying
Key players
- Oswin Appollis · LWPacey, direct dribbler (56% success), creativity & goals — 6 goal involvements in 5
- Tactics
- Happy to go direct, releasing wingers into 1v1s with fullbacks overlapping beyond. Plenty of crosses but the conversion needs to improve. Solid rest-defence keeps them in games.
Sources: John Walker (@johnwalker_1986) — pre-tournament tactical scouting, May–Jun 2026
Group fixtures
Squad
Goalkeepers
- Ronwen WilliamsMamelodi Sundowns
- Ricardo GossMamelodi Sundowns
- Sipho ChaineOrlando Pirates
Defenders
- Khuliso MudauMamelodi Sundowns
- Nkosinathi SibisiOrlando Pirates
- Ime OkonHannover 96
- Khulumani NdamaneMamelodi Sundowns
- Aubrey ModibaMamelodi Sundowns
- Samukelo KabiniMolde
- Thabang MatuludiPolokwane City
- Olwethu MakhanyaPhiladelphia Union
- Kamogelo SebelebeleOrlando Pirates
- Bradley CrossKaizer Chiefs
- Mbekezeli MbokaziChicago Fire
Midfielders
- Teboho MokoenaMamelodi Sundowns
- Thalente MbathaOrlando Pirates
- Yaya SitholeTondela
- Jayden AdamsMamelodi Sundowns
Forwards
- Oswin AppollisOrlando Pirates
- Iqraam RaynersMamelodi Sundowns
- Tshepang MoremiOrlando Pirates
- Relebohile MofokengOrlando Pirates
- Evidence MakgopaOrlando Pirates
- Themba ZwaneMamelodi Sundowns
- Lyle FosterBurnley
- Thapelo MasekoAEL Limassol