A trio of Orlando Pirates stars will play no part in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026.
While much focus is naturally placed on the players who will be selected to represent their countries on football’s greatest stage, spare a thought for those who miss out on selection – or those 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 to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada from 11 June to 19 July 2026.
ORLANDO PIRATES TRIO SET TO MISS 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP
As reported on The South African, Orlando Pirates players Deivi Miguel Vieira (Angola) and Abdoulaye Mariko (Cameroon) will play no part.
This is because both African sides failed to qualify for the tournament.
Meanwhile, Andre de Jong has been omitted from New Zealand’s final squad.
BUCS SET TO FEATURE PROMINENTLY IN BAFANA BAFANA SQUAD
Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates had six players in Hugo Broos’s 23-man squad for Bafana Bafana’s back-to-back most recent friendlies against Panama.
Relebohile Mofokeng, Oswin Appollis, Evidence Makgopa, Tshepang Moremi, Thalente Mbatha and Nkosinathi Sibisi all made the cut.
Most, if not all, of these Bucs stars are expected to feature in Broos’s final squad set to be named on Wednesday, 27 May.
In fact, the Soweto giants could have one or two more stars feature.
Sipho Chaine narrowly missing out due to ‘disciplinary issues’. However, he has seemingly corrected these issues and is one of the favoured goalkeepers to 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.
Meanwhile, Renaldo Leaner is a wildcard bet.
Petersen has staked a strong last-minute claim for a Bafana Bafana call-up following his man of the match performance in the most recent Soweto derby where he almost single-handedly help inspire Kaizer Chiefs to a surprise 1-1 draw with Orlando Pirates.
Thereafter, he made two huge saves against Mamelodi Sundowns in a subsequent match, including a brilliant effort in the 96th minute to keep The Brazilians at bay.
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 – by any score – against Orbit College in their final fixture on Saturday, 23 May (15:00) to edge defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns and be crowned champions.
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 or the season.
WHICH ORLANDO PIRATES PLAYERS DO YOU THINK WILL BE SELECTED IN HUGO BROOS’ FINAL BAFANA BAFANA SQUAD FOR FIFA WORLD CUP 2026?
Let us know your predictions in the comments section below …