Themba Zwane could become one of the oldest players to ever play in the FIFA World Cup, following in the footsteps of Essam El Hadary, who played for Egypt at 45 years and 161 days in 2018. At 36, Zwane is now eligible to play in the tournament.
Zwane, the midfielder from Mamelodi Sundowns, has been included in Bafana Bafana's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite a recent history of injuries that kept him out of action for several months.
The 36-year-old midfielder, known for his calmness and creativity on the pitch, has built a reputation for stepping up in big moments. Coach Hugo Broos hopes he can provide the same level of experience and skill for Bafana Bafana in the global showpiece.
Zwane 'is a very good player' who can help the team 'for 45 minutes, 60 minutes or maybe even less in a game, according to Broos. He has the experience and the intelligence. He scores.'
Zwane has been with Sundowns since 2018 and has become one of the most experienced players in the national team setup, with a total of 58 appearances for Bafana Bafana. He's a player that has demonstrated a high level of skill on the field.
Zwane's injury history is well-documented, with the midfielder having battled injuries for several months, which kept him out of action for a long period. His recent return to action for Sundowns has raised hopes that he will be fit for the World Cup.
Bafana Bafana's 2026 FIFA World Cup squad also includes other notable players such as Percy Tau, Rivaldo Coetzee, and Kamohelo Hlalele. The team will kick off the global showpiece on June 15, 2026. They'll be seeking to make a strong impression in the tournament.
Coach Hugo Broos has proved the doubters wrong with his selection of the team. Bafana Bafana had been written off as one of the underdogs of the tournament, with many predicting that the team would be eliminated in the group stages. But Broos has other plans, and the team will be seeking to defy the odds and make a deep run in the tournament.
Coach Hugo Broos has highlighted the importance of Zwane's inclusion in the team. As he said, 'Themba is a player that we don’t have. He has the experience and the intelligence. He scores.' His unique value makes him a crucial addition to the team.
The FIFA World Cup squad includes other notable players such as Percy Tau, Rivaldo Coetzee, and Kamohelo Hlalele. This talented group of players will be looking to make a strong impression in the tournament.
The team's chances in the World Cup had already been written off, but coach Hugo Broos has proved the doubters wrong with his selection of the team. As the tournament kicks off on June 15, 2026, the team will be seeking to defy the odds and make a deep run in the competition.