The confirmation that 17 players from Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, and Orlando Pirates will join Bafana Bafana for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is not a badge of honour for South African football – it is a scheduling grenade lobbed directly into the heart of the 2026/27 Betway Premiership campaign, and the league’s governing body has no one to blame but itself.
Consider the math. Hugo Broos will assemble his squad in early June, with the World Cup final set for 19 July. The Betway Premiership traditionally kicks off in the second week of August – a six-week turnaround that, in normal circumstances, grants a club like Mamelodi Sundowns a solid preseason block. But for Rulani Mokwena, José Riveiro, and whoever sits in the Chiefs dugout, six weeks is a fantasy. Teboho Mokoena, Themba Zwane, and Aubrey Modiba will be arriving back in Tshwane after gruelling tournament minutes – likely carrying knocks and desperately needing rest – while their teammates are already two weeks into pre-season drills. Across the