The schedule provides the roadmap to a final selection that will no doubt be hotly debated, with Broos able to select between 23 and 26 players in his final squad.
Logic would suggest he takes the higher number to cover for injuries, suspensions or loss of form, but Broos seemed a little reluctant when asked about it last month.
He perhaps also does not want ‘passengers’ in the squad who would have little chance of playing and could be a disruptive influence.
Broos has until May 13 to name a provisional squad of 35 to 55 players and submit it to FIFA.
He must then whittle that down to 23 to 26 players by June 1, though, as South Africa take on co-hosts Mexico in the opening game at the Azteca Stadium on June 11, Broos already wants to be in their Pachuca base camp by then, suggesting he will name his selection earlier, before they fly.
FIFA have also confirmed that the mandatory date for clubs to release players for the tournament is May 25, meaning the South African Betway Premiership cannot extend beyond that point. Or, if it does, it will do so without national team players.
Broos said last month, before their second friendly against Panama in Cape Town, that he knew 70-75% of his final squad already.
“Everything depends a little bit on the shape of the players,” he said. “Maybe in the next weeks, they will not play anymore for their teams, or pick up injuries, or that kind of thing. But 70-75% of the selection is already in my head and will not change.”
