FIFA sets dates for Bafana Bafana to name preliminary and final 2026 World Cup squads

The timetable lays out the route to a definitive roster that is bound to ignite fierce arguments, permitting Broos to pick between 23 and 26 athletes for his ultimate lineup.

Sensible thinking points to choosing the larger figure for protection against harm, bans or dips in performance, although Broos displayed some hesitation on the topic when queried last month.

He might likewise aim to exclude idle members who face slim odds of featuring and could stir unrest within the group.

Broos needs to declare an initial roster ranging from 35 to 55 players by May 13 and forward it to FIFA.

Next, he has to narrow that to 23 to 26 by June 1. That said, facing co-hosts Mexico in the kickoff match at Azteca Stadium on June 11, Broos plans to reach their Pachuca training hub by then, which hints at revealing his choices sooner, ahead of travel.

FIFA has verified the required release date for clubs to let players go for the competition as May 25, so the South African Betway Premiership must wrap up by that deadline. Otherwise, any extension would happen minus those on international duty.

Broos mentioned last month, prior to the second warm-up clash with Panama in Cape Town, that he already has 70 to 75 percent of his end roster figured out.

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