Broos reveals points Bafana need to seal World Cup knockout ticket

Forty years after facing Mexico as a player for Belgium in the 1986 World Cup opener, Hugo Broos is set for an emotional return to the Estadio Azteca—this time as the head coach of South Africa.

The Thursday clash in Mexico City marks the beginning of the 2026 World Cup, kicking off a 104-match tournament that will culminate with the final in New Jersey on July 19.

“No-one in Hollywood could have scripted it better,” Broos told AFP as per France24. “I played in a World Cup opener and now, four decades later, I will be one of the coaches in a World Cup opener.”

The 2026 tournament, co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada, will also be the final chapter in the Belgian’s 56-year career in football as both a player and coach.

Broos reveals his World Cup dream

“I am dreaming of a beautiful ending where South Africa reach the knockout phase of a World Cup for the first time after three first-round exits,” he shared. “When South Africa bow out of this tournament, I will say goodbye to football. I turned 74 this year and the time has come to be with my wife, two daughters, son and eight grandchildren.”

Following their match against Mexico, South Africa will compete against the Czech Republic and South Korea in Group A. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed nations, will advance to the next stage. This opening fixture is a rematch of sorts, as South Africa and Mexico also met in the first game of the 2010 World Cup, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Broos, who took the helm in 2021, acknowledged the tough challenge posed by Mexico and their passionate home crowd.

“Mexico are a good, ambitious team which emphasises movement. Nothing other than our best level will suffice,” he stated. “We must know what to do when they have the ball, and when we have it.”

How many points will do it for Bafana?

The veteran coach believes a single victory could be sufficient to secure a spot in the knockout round. “Three points will take us through,” he predicted. “The four (Group A) teams are not too different in terms of quality. That means there are three tough matches ahead for South Africa. Our mission is to create history by reaching the second round.”

Broos also dismissed concerns that domestic rivalries between players from clubs like Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates could disrupt team harmony. “There are no Sundowns or Pirates players in the squad. Only South Africans,” he insisted. “The camaraderie is fantastic. Choosing players with the right mentality is a key part of my job.”

He stood by his decision to include 36-year-old Themba Zwane, describing him as “a good playmaker, who can help us for part of each match.” Broos added, “He is fit after several injuries and can make a significant impact. He is intelligent and scores goals.”

Regardless of the outcome, Broos expressed pride in the team’s transformation under his leadership. “We were once labelled a ‘joke’ and one friendly match attracted less than 200 spectators to a 93,000-seat stadium,” he recalled. “Our last home warm-up match was a 50,000 sell-out.”