The World Cup-bound players with current – and past – connections to our South London clubs

There are only three players from our South London clubs who have been included in World Cup squads – but a fair few with previous links.

That total would have been four but Ghana’s Joe Wollacott suffered a broken finger last weekend which ensured he will only be a spectator with his country in Qatar.

It’s no surprise that Premier League Crystal Palace lead the way with two players set to feature in the tournament, which starts on Sunday when the host nation take on Ecuador.

Eagles centre-back Joachim Andersen is part of Denmark’s squad and they kick off their campaign against Tunisia on November 22 before taking on France, one of the favourites to lift the trophy, on November 26. Their final Group D fixture is against Australia on November 30.

Palace team-mate Jordan Ayew, 31, is a veteran for Ghana and will be looking to add to his 83 caps and 19 goals for his country. He debuted for them in September 2010.

The Black Stars start Portugal (November 24) before taking on South Korea (November 28) and Uruguay (December 2).

AFC Wimbledon defender Chris Gunter, 33, is Wales’ record appearance holder with 109 caps. The former Charlton man is not set to command major game-time and ex-Eagles keeper Wayne Hennessey, on 106 appearances, could move past his total if Robert Page’s team progress to the knockout stage.

Wales’ first test in Qatar is against USA on November 21. They follow that with matches against Iran (November 25) and England (November 29).

Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi did not make Gareth Southgate’s England squad but there are South London connections. England captain Harry Kane scored seven goals in 22 matches on loan with Millwall in 2012. The Tottenham forward has 51 goals in 75 matches for the Three Lions.
England keeper Nick Pope played 38 times for Charlton before he was sold to Burnley in July 2016.

Three Lions midfielder Conor Gallagher had highly-successful loans with Charlton and Crystal Palace – winning the latter’s Player of the Year award last season – before returning to parent club Chelsea.

Wales have plenty of former Charlton players in their ranks. Luton Town centre-back Tom Lockyer exercised a release clause in his contract following the Addicks relegation from the Championship in 2020.

Jonny Williams was a fans’ favourite at Palace, where he came through the academy, and at Charlton Athletic. He played 70 times for the Eagles and four fewer for their South London rivals before the latter sold him to Cardiff City in February 2021.

Williams signed for Swindon six months later and was an impressive performer under Ben Garner, who it is believed was keen to add him to his Addicks playing roster when he was appointed manager in the summer.

Dundee United’s Dylan Levitt and MK’s Matt Smith both had underwhelming loans with Charlton while on the books of Manchester United and Manchester City.

Former Crystal Palace utility player Cheikhou Kouyate is part of Senegal’s squad. The 32-year-old could not agree a new contract with the Eagles last summer and joined Premier League new boys Forest on a free transfer.

Ex-Eagle Steve Mandanda (Rennes) is one of three keepers selected by France. The 37-year-old was signed by Palace in July 2016 but struggled to settle in London, sealing a return to Marseille 12 months later.

Belgium’s Michy Batshuayi had two loan spells with Palace – scoring eight goals in 33 games. The frontman signed for Fenerbahce in September.

Poland’s Krystian Bielik was a key part of Lee Bowyer’s Charlton side which won the League One play-offs in 2019. The midfielder chipped in with four goals in 34 outings for the Addicks before returning to Arsenal.

Canadian winger Liam Millar signed for Charlton in January 2021 on a six-month loan from Liverpool. He was sold to Basel for £1.3million in July 2021 after three goals in 27 appearances.