Ronwen Williams: Bafana Bafana Captain Reacts to South Africa’s FIFA 2026 World Cup Group
- Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams has reacted to South Africa's group in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America
- South Africa will play the opening game of the tournament against one of the co-hosts, Mexico, as they are both in the same group
- The Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper's comments about the World Cup draw sparked different reactions on social media
Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams says he is thrilled at the prospect of facing hosts Mexico in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City. South Africa was placed in Pot 3 by FIFA ahead of the draw.
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South Africa was placed in Group A during the draw in Washington on Friday, December 5, 2025. They will also come up against South Korea and a yet-to-be-confirmed European opponent. Denmark, North Macedonia, the Czech Republic, and Ireland will battle it out in a decisive play-off in March to secure the final spot.
The last team to join Bafana’s group will emerge from the UEFA play-offs featuring Denmark, North Macedonia, the Czech Republic, and Ireland.
Williams reacts to Bafana's World Cup group
Williams said it felt like a repeat of the 2010 World Cup opener, when Bafana Bafana and Mexico played to a 1-1 draw at FNB Stadium with Kaizer Chiefs legend Siphiwe Tshabalala, he told SuperSport. He said it would be great to face the host nation again, even though the entire country would be supporting Mexico.
The Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper added that he expected to see some familiar players from Ulsan HD, the Korean club that Mamelodi Sundowns defeated 1-0 in their opening match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. Williams kept a clean sheet in that match, while Iqraam Rayners scored the winner. He noted that South Korea would feature some of the players they had faced at the Club World Cup.
The Bafana captain expressed confidence that the team can progress from their group and reach the knockout stage. He explained that it’s impossible to predict where the team will collect points and that every match will pose challenges, but the squad will approach each game believing they can get a positive result. He added that they are not going to the tournament just to make up the numbers but to test how far they have come as a footballing nation.
Williams stressed that this is not meant to put pressure on the team, as it has been a long time since South Africa last played in such a prestigious tournament, but he believes they are capable of advancing from the group.
Source: Getty Images
Here is what fans have been saying about Ronwen Williams' reaction to Bafana Bafana's World Cup draw on social media.
Malerothe Van Vuurn said:
"He was supposed to be among the delegation that went to the US to attend and witness the draw."
Mofokeng M Jnr shared:
"That group is very difficult to get out of."
EL Espolon wrote:
"He must be serious, we don't want silly mistakes in the World Cup."
Kamo Kaaamoore reacted:
"We are not going to the World Cup to win hearts, we are going to win our matches!!🤭🔥🔥"
Many Men LavaLava added:
"We are underdogs, but we must top that group."
Williams explains how Broos revived Bafana
Briefly News also reported that Williams explained how Hugo Broos revived the Bafana Bafana since he took over the job.
The South African goalkeeper has been a regular member of the Bafana Bafana squad since the Belgian coach was appointed.
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Source: Briefly News
