Written By | Alex Mbamanya
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa hosted his team at his house before send off
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Sports Desk
It is now just 14 days to the much-anticipated FIFA World Cup, which will kick off in the three host nations of Mexico, Canada, and the USA on 11 June 2026.
This edition will be unique compared to previous tournaments, as for the first time, 48 teams (expanded from 32) will compete for global glory, and it will also be the first time the event is hosted by three countries.
The teams heading to this global showpiece have been engaged in a number of friendly matches as part of their preparations, while national team coaches are making final squad announcements ahead of the tournament.
Africa will, for the first time, be represented by 10 countries: Senegal, Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, Algeria, Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde, South Africa, and DR Congo. DR Congo will make their first appearance since 1974, after successfully navigating the continental qualifiers to complete Africa’s 10-team representation. Cape Verde, the second smallest nation at the tournament, will be making their maiden appearance.
Cape Verde’s qualification is historic, as they not only debut at the tournament but also eliminated perennial contenders Cameroon by beating them home and away in the group stages.
Meanwhile, South Africa coach Hugo Broos has named a final 26-man squad for the FIFA World Cup. Bafana Bafana are set to compete at the global finals for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010.
Key figures in Broos’ squad include inspirational captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, dynamic midfielder Teboho Mokoena, and Burnley striker Lyle Foster. Williams and Mokoena are among eight Mamelodi Sundowns players selected, while Orlando Pirates also contribute eight players, including exciting forward Oswin Appollis.
The team was given a colourful send-off dinner hosted by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Sefako M. Makgatho Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria.
During the “United by Hope, Driven by Pride” themed event, Ramaphosa challenged the Bafana Bafana team to aim for victory in the tournament.
Torch Media Africa
