Bafana preliminary squad: Kaizer Chiefs duo receive unexpected World Cup call from Broos

Bradley Cross has been included in the selection, alongside AmaKhosi teammate Brandon Petersen, who is one of four goalkeepers. Ronwen Williams, Ricardo Goss and Sipho Chaine complete the list. Three are expected to make the final trip.

Philadelphia Union defender Olwethu Makhanya, widely regarded as unfortunate to have been overlooked previously, has been named, with Siyabonga Ngezana omitted due to recent injury concerns.

Nkosinathi Sibisi, Khulumani Ndamane, Ime Okon and Mbekezeli Mbokazi have also been selected, with four likely to secure their spots.

Brooklyn Poggenpoel from Durban City features among the midfielders, as does Lebohang Maboe from Chiefs, whose last international appearance was in 2021.

The remainder of the squad aligns with expectations.

Lyle Foster, Evidence Makgopa and Iqraam Rayners lead the forward line, while Themba Zwane, Patrick Maswanganyi and Relebohile Mofokeng fill the creative roles.

Kamogelo Sebelebele has been named as a winger despite spending the season at right-back for Pirates, with Thapelo Morena also returning. Bongokuhle Hlongwane has not been recalled following a lacklustre performance against Panama in March, while Mohau Nkota's exclusion comes as a significant surprise.

Broos will announce his final squad at the Union Buildings during a ceremony with President Cyril Ramaphosa next Wednesday.

Bafana will face Nicaragua in a Johannesburg friendly on May 29 before departing for their Mexican training base.

Their World Cup campaign begins against Mexico at the iconic Azteca Stadium on June 11, followed by matches against the Czech Republic in Atlanta (June 18) and South Korea in Monterrey (June 24).