Injury To Rule Downs Midfielder Out Of Bafana World Cup Squad?

A Mamelodi Sundowns star could be out of contention for a Bafana Bafana 2026 FIFA World Cup spot following the latest injury update.

FIFA is expecting all national teams competing at the World Cup to submit their provisional squad of 35 players between 11 and 14 May, which is this week, with the deadline for the final squad of between 23 and 26 players being set for 1 June.

Bafana would be pressed to finalize their list in earnest, as they would be opening the tournament against Mexico on 11 June, exactly a month to go.

One of the players who could miss out on the South Africa squad is Bathusi Aubaas, who is still sidelined after injuries kept him out for the majority of this year.

Aubaas has not been in the Sundowns squad for their league matches since being injured in a 1-1 draw against Orlando Pirates back in November last year.

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There were hopes that the former TS Galaxy midfielder had fully recovered and that he could reclaim his spot in the Bafana squad ahead of the World Cup after he featured off the bench against Gomora United in the Nedbank Cup Round of 32 clash in February.

"We still have Bathusi Aubaas (out injured), doing well in rehab," Sundowns team doctor, Dr. Carl Tabane told the club's media after their 7-4 win over Siwelele FC on Saturday evening at Lucas Moripe Stadium.