Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos sets 2026 World Cup target despite being placed in tricky Group A

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has already set his objective for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

South Africa have been placed in Group A where they will have to face the hosts Mexico, South Korea as well as the winner in the playoff involving Denmark, Czech Republic and Republic of Ireland.

The European sides competing for UEFA's last four spots at #FIFAWorldCup 2026! 🗺️

Only one nation can progress from each of the four paths! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/xgXQ9wFQzQ

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) March 25, 2026

Mzansi have never made it out of the group stage, but the 73-year-old Belgian is convinced of making the knockout phase in the forthcoming edition.

Bafana Bafana have more chance

“Before it was one and two, and that was finished. Now, there’s also the third place. So, that means if you play a draw and you win one game, you have a big chance to go through. When you don’t make one and two, you don’t pass those group stages. So, you have more chance now [with best third place],” Broos told the media.

“And it’s not because I always said third place that we only can play for the third place. If we have a chance to be second or first, we will do it also. But this is something very important for all those ‘not big countries’.

“For the big countries, okay, they like to play for first or second place. When Denmark is coming in our group, they will not play for third place. And they will not think of third place.

“Not even Mexico think of one and two. And we are thinking also of one or two, that’s for sure.

Bafana Bafana target is passing Group Stage

“But we know if we don’t achieve that in that group, which will be very difficult, there is still third place. So, you can’t say at a certain moment, oh yeah no.

“You have to go till the last game. And the last game can give you, pass through the group stages, survive of the group stages. So, yeah, the motivation and the feeling is the same.

“You want to pass the group stages. That is our goal. If it’s first, second or third, whatever. But we want to pass the group stages. Let that be clear,” Broos concluded.

Bafana Bafana are set to play Panama on Friday and Tuesday, respectively, to prepare for the World Cup.