When the African preliminary squads for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are laid side by side, South Africa’s stands apart immediately.
Cape Verde have no home-based players. Neither do the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast or Senegal. Tunisia selected just six. Hugo Broos has gone in the opposite direction entirely – naming 25 Betway Premiership players in a 32-man provisional squad that will be trimmed this week.
Among African World Cup qualifiers, only Egypt comes close to matching South Africa’s reliance on domestic talent, with 18 locally-based players in their preliminary group.
For Broos, it is not a compromise. It is a philosophy.
“When we face other African nations in the World Cup or AFCON, we are up against teams packed with footballers from European clubs,” the Belgian told reporters.
“That is a disadvantage for South Africa. There is a gap between the local Premiership and Europe. I hope in future more players here will have opportunities to play abroad.”
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The 74-year-old, who retires from coaching after the tournament, has long argued that the Betway Premiership – the richest national league on the African continent – provides a strong enough foundation to compete at the highest level. His preliminary squad reflects that belief.
Of the 32 players named, just five are based in Europe and two in MLS.
Lyle Foster of Burnley is the highest-profile European-based player, though Burnley’s relegation from the Premier League means no Bafana player will be at a top-five European club next season.
Ime Okon plays for Hannover in Germany’s second tier, Samukele Kabini lines up for Molde in Norway, Sphephelo Sithole is with Tondela in Portugal and Thapelo Maseko represents AEL Limassol in Cyprus. MLS duo Mbekezeli Mbokazi of Chicago Fire and Olwethu Makhanya of Philadelphia Union complete the overseas contingent.
The rest – 25 of them – come from the PSL. Pirates, Sundowns, Chiefs and others are all represented in a preliminary squad that is overwhelmingly domestic in its make-up.
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Broos is also using the tournament as a platform. He has spoken openly about wanting the World Cup to serve as a shop window for South African talent – hoping performances in North America lead to more players earning moves abroad.
“To narrow the gap you need South Africans playing in very difficult conditions. If they can succeed in Europe, South Africa will become a powerful football nation.”
South Africa are in Group A alongside co-hosts Mexico, Czech Republic and South Korea. They open the tournament against Mexico at the Estadio Azteca on 11 June. The final squad will be confirmed at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Wednesday.
– AFP
Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images
