Andre de Jong: Why joining Orlando Pirates is the key to my World Cup dream

Newly signed Orlando Pirates attacker Andre de Jong believes his move to the Buccaneers could prove pivotal in his pursuit of a place at the 2026 Fifa World Cup, set to be hosted across the US, Mexico and Canada.

Speaking at Rand Stadium, the 29-year-old reflected on a whirlwind few weeks that have seen him trade Stellenbosch FC for the bright lights of Soweto, while also earning a recall to the New Zealand senior national team, the All Whites.

For De Jong, the timing of the move is no coincidence. With World Cup qualification looming, he views Pirates as the ideal platform to elevate both his profile and performance on the international stage.

“I think it’s massive and this was one of the reasons why the move was so big for me, obviously close to the World Cup selection coming up,” he said.

The winger believes that playing for one of Africa’s most recognisable clubs brings a level of scrutiny and exposure that can only help his cause. In a league brimming with international ambition, he feels standards are being raised daily.

“The All Whites have a couple of games in March back home, so I would really be keen to be involved in that,” De Jong explained. 

“And I think anyone in the PSL is pushing – obviously Bafana are at the World Cup as well, so I think it’s lifting the standard of competition at Pirates.”

That internal competition has already struck him. Pirates boast a squad rich in continental and international experience, with several players recently returning from AFCON duty and others eyeing World Cup qualification of their own.

“We’ve got nine players who were called up for AFCON and a lot of other people have aspirations to make the World Cup for Bafana,” he said. 

“So I think there’s tons of competition and hopefully I can grab that opportunity for the All Whites.”

Next month presents a crucial window. New Zealand are set to host Finland on 27 March before facing Chile three days later as part of the Fifa Series 2026. These fixtures loom large for De Jong, who knows selectors will be monitoring his adaptation to life at Pirates.

“I hope so as well,” he said. 

“The games in March will be interesting if I can get called up to that, but I think it’s starting to settle into people how big the move was over on that side of the world.”

Beyond the national team, De Jong is already aware of the scale of the challenges awaiting him domestically. 

Pirates’ looming heavyweight clashes against Mamelodi Sundowns Wednesday and then Kaizer Chiefs later on in the month represent more than just league fixtures — they are career-defining auditions.

“Obviously, these games, playing Sundowns and a sold-out Chiefs as well, already are huge for my career,” he admitted.

In Soweto, every performance is magnified. For De Jong, those moments could be the bridge between club ambition and a World Cup dream.

*Smiso Msomi is Independent Media's senior football reporter and host of the Monday Review on our YouTube channel The Clutch