Episode Details

Olwethu Makhanya, the 22-year-old Philadelphia Union center back, is set to make his senior international debut for South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup — one of only two MLS defenders on the squad. Since joining the Union in 2023, he’s been instrumental in their historic Supporters’ Shield win, helping them post the league’s best defense and earning a top-13 spot in the 2022 Under-22 rankings. South Africa, making their fourth World Cup appearance since hosting in 2010, opens against Mexico in Group A — alongside South Korea and Czechia — in a tournament co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. The Bafana Bafana, seeking their first knockout stage breakthrough, qualified by topping their AFCON group.

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