South Africa captain Ronwen Williams has called for African unity and urged fans to keep political disputes out of football after backlash following his country’s opening game at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Williams spoke after controversy erupted over claims that he had criticised African nations for allegedly backing Mexico during South Africa’s 2-0 defeat to the co-hosts.
However, he said he was misrepresented and insisted he has always stood for unity across the continent.
“I’ve been a target over the last few days about things that I haven’t said,” Williams said in a video released by the South African Broadcasting Corporation.
“I didn’t speak anything about Africa and people supporting Mexico. I can remember, I’ve always said that, as Africa, we are one, we support each other.”
He admitted the criticism had been painful, saying players often get dragged into debates they cannot control.
“We’ve all got our own politics, our own problems, our own fights back home,” he said.
“You want to focus on doing your job, which is being a footballer, but then you get involved in politics, and you don’t want to be in that space.”
Williams added that football’s strength is its power to unite people.
“That’s the wonderful thing about sports. It can unite, it can make or break you, and it can bring people together,” he said.
He urged fans across Africa to back African teams at the World Cup instead of letting politics divide them.
“Let’s just enjoy, let’s have a wonderful time, and we leave politics to the politicians. Let us just play football, enjoy ourselves and criticise for what happens on the field.
“As Africa, let’s unite and let’s keep going because we are all in this together.”
The controversy followed reactions from some African football fans who supported Mexico against South Africa, linked to resentment over reported xenophobic attacks on African migrants living in South Africa.
Despite the tension, Williams maintained that football should remain a space for unity, not division, as African teams continue their World Cup campaign.
