Thalente Mbatha
South Africa
MID
Age
26
Appearances
1
Goals
0
About Thalente Mbatha
Thalente Mbatha is named in Hugo Broos's 26-man South Africa squad for the 2026 World Cup, one of the midfielders. The Orlando Pirates midfielder goes into the finals aged 26.
He has made 29 appearances for Pirates this season and has become a regular in the South Africa midfield. South Africa qualified by winning CAF Group C in October 2025, and open Group A alongside Mexico, South Korea and the Czech Republic.
He has made 29 appearances for Pirates this season and has become a regular in the South Africa midfield. South Africa qualified by winning CAF Group C in October 2025, and open Group A alongside Mexico, South Korea and the Czech Republic.
World Cup 2026 Stats
Appearances
1
Minutes played
34
Goals
0
Assists
0
Key passes
0
Accuracy
57%
Playing Style
A defensive midfielder, Mbatha protects central areas for South Africa. He shields the space in front of the back line and breaks up play in the middle. He stands 1.79m and is right-footed. He has logged 2,197 club minutes for Orlando Pirates this season, going into the group stage in Hugo Broos's squad at 26.
World Cup History
The 2026 World Cup is set to be Thalente Mbatha's first at senior level, with no senior World Cup on his record. His international career to date includes 3 goals for South Africa. Hugo Broos has named him among the midfielders in the 26-man squad for the finals. He stays among South Africa's midfield options on the final list.
National Team
South Africa
Tier 5
£4m
📋 Teammates (20)
View teamGoalkeepers
Defenders
Midfielders
Forwards
Goal Rush Impact
Mbatha's work for South Africa is in midfield, a defensive midfielder who shields the back line and breaks up play, with 3 international goals to his name. On the Goal Rush card South Africa are a Tier 5 side at £4m, one of the lower bands on the card.
🏆 Goal Rush
Want Thalente Mbatha's Goals in Your Card?
Select South Africa (Tier 5, £4m) in Goal Rush and every goal Thalente Mbatha scores counts towards your total.
Mbatha at the 2026 World Cup
Mbatha is a confirmed midfielder in Hugo Broos's 26-man South Africa squad for the 2026 World Cup. He is in the South Africa side opening their Group A campaign in June.
Picking South Africa in Goal Rush
South Africa come in at Tier 5 on the Goal Rush card at £4m. They open Group A against Mexico in mid-June, and Mbatha is among the midfielders in the confirmed 26.
Thalente Mbatha World Cup 2026 FAQs
South Africa are a Tier 5 side at £4m on the Goal Rush card, among the lower bands. Mbatha is in Hugo Broos's confirmed 26 as a midfielder, so his role is the quick reference at that team price.
Mbatha is a midfielder for South Africa. He plays his club football for Orlando Pirates and is part of Hugo Broos's squad for the 2026 World Cup, named in the final 26.
No. He has no previous senior World Cup appearances. The 2026 World Cup would be his first, with his place confirmed in Hugo Broos's 26-man South Africa squad after South Africa won CAF Group C to reach the finals.
Mbatha plays his club football for Orlando Pirates. He is named as a midfielder in Hugo Broos's final 26-man South Africa squad for the 2026 World Cup, one of the midfield options Broos takes to the finals.
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