South Africa names World Cup squad, relying on domestic league stars

South Africa's national football team, preparing for the 2026 World Cup, has revealed a squad heavily reliant on domestic talent, with coach Hugo Broos selecting 19 players from the South African Premier Division. The squad announcement, made at the Presidential Guesthouse in Pretoria with President Cyril Ramaphosa in attendance, highlights a core of players from Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, each contributing eight players.

Captain Ronwen Williams, a goalkeeper for Mamelodi Sundowns, will lead a team that boasts strong cohesion due to many players having long-standing partnerships at both club and league levels. This domestic focus aims to leverage familiarity and established chemistry within the squad.

While the majority of the team comprises local players, five European-based professionals are included, such as Burnley forward Lyle Foster and Hannover defender Azeez Okon. Other overseas players include midfielders Sibongiseni Mthethwa (Molde) and Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela), and forward Tashreeq Matthews (Limassol). American Major League Soccer will be represented by defenders Olwethu Makhanya (Philadelphia) and Keletso Makgoba (Chicago).

South Africa is set to face the Netherlands in their opening Group A match on June 25th. The team has struggled in past World Cups, failing to advance beyond the group stage in its last three appearances, including the 2010 tournament hosted in South Africa. Coach Broos expressed optimism, stating, "Anything is possible in football. There are always upsets in every World Cup. I am leading a team full of fighters."

The team will play a friendly against Nicaragua before departing for Mexico, where they will also face Jamaica in another warm-up match.

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Anything is possible in football. There are always upsets in every World Cup. I am leading a team full of fighters.