Orlando Pirates Stars To Miss Out On FIFA World Cup 2026
A trio of Orlando Pirates stars will play no part in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026. While much focus is on the players who will be selected to represent their countries, spare a thought for those who miss out on selection or whose country did not qualify.
Unfortunately for these three Orlando Pirates stars, they will have to accept that they will not be a part of the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from 11 June to 19 July 2026.
Orlando Pirates Players Who Will Miss The Tournament
As reported, Orlando Pirates players Deivi Miguel Vieira (Angola) and Abdoulaye Mariko (Cameroon) will play no part because both African sides failed to qualify for the tournament. Meanwhile, Andre de Jong has been omitted from New Zealand’s final squad.
Bafana Bafana Squad Selection
Orlando Pirates had six players in Hugo Broos’s 23-man squad for Bafana Bafana’s back-to-back friendlies against Panama. Relebohile Mofokeng, Oswin Appollis, Evidence Makgopa, Tshepang Moremi, Thalente Mbatha, and Nkosinathi Sibisi all made the cut. Most of these Bucs stars are expected to feature in Broos’s final squad, which is set to be named on Wednesday, 27 May.
Sipho Chaine narrowly missed out due to disciplinary issues, but he has seemingly corrected these issues and is one of the favoured goalkeepers to board the flight to Mexico. It appears to be a direct shoot-out between Kaizer Chiefs captain Brandon Petersen and Chaine for the third and final ‘keeper spot, along with skipper Ronwen Williams and Ricardo Goss.
Soweto Giants On The Brink Of History
Looking at the Betway Premiership title race, Orlando Pirates lie potentially 90 minutes away from ending a 14-year drought since they last lifted the PSL trophy. Orlando Pirates need just a win against Orbit College in their final fixture on Saturday, 23 May (15:00) to edge defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns and be crowned champions.
Orlando Pirates’ Quest For Silverware
Bucs were helped greatly in the quest for silverware by Petersen’s heroics in goal against Masandawana, as well as TS Galaxy’s shock 2-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns in their final fixture of the season.
